Item: Estimating avalanche runout on the milford road, new zealand
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Title: Estimating avalanche runout on the milford road, new zealand
Proceedings: 2002 International Snow Science Workshop, Penticton, British Columbia
Authors: H. Conway, W. Carran and A. Carran, University of Washington, USA and Transit New Zealand Milford Road Avalanche Programme
Date: 2002
Abstract: For operational purposes it is of interest to determine when and whether an avalanche will affect the road. The size and runout of an avalanche depends on the initial depth of failure and subsequent entrainment/deposition of snow as it travels down the path. Here we investigate a mass balance approach in which avalanches gain mass above the snowline and lose mass below it; the size by the time it reaches the road depends on conditions along the path as well as the depth of the initial fracture. We do not capture all details of the flow, but results are encouraging and indicate the importance of entrainment/deposition processes when predicting avalanche runout distances. We caution that the model is not perfect; even a small under prediction of runout could have major consequences for a traveler on the road.
Presenters: Unknown
Keywords: snow, avalanches, runout distances
Subjects: avalanche runout milford road
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Digital Abstract Not Available
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