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Item: The Experimental Snow Avalanche Test Site at Seehore Peak in Aosta Valley (IT) MAP3 ALCOTRA Project

• • Title: The Experimental Snow Avalanche Test Site at Seehore Peak in Aosta Valley (IT) MAP3 ALCOTRA Project

    Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Grenoble – Chamonix Mont-Blanc - October 07-11, 2013

    Authors:

    • V. Segor  [ Struttura assetto idrogeologico dei bacini montani – Ufficio Neve e Valanghe, Regione Autonoma Valle d’Aosta, Quart (AO) - Italy ]
    • L. Pitet  [ Struttura assetto idrogeologico dei bacini montani – Ufficio Neve e Valanghe, Regione Autonoma Valle d’Aosta, Quart (AO) - Italy ]
    • M. Maggioni  [ DISAFA and NatRisk-LNSA, University of Torino, Grugliasco (TO) - Italy ]
    • B. Frigo  [ DISEG, Politecnico di Torino, Torino – Italy ]  [ Fondazione Montagna Sicura - Montagne Sûre, Courmayeur (AO) – Italy ]
    • M. Freppaz  [ DISAFA and NatRisk-LNSA, University of Torino, Grugliasco (TO) - Italy ]
    • B. Chiaia  [ DISEG, Politecnico di Torino, Torino – Ita ]
    • E. Bovet  [ DISEG, Politecnico di Torino, Torino – Italy ]  [ Fondazione Montagna Sicura - Montagne Sûre, Courmayeur (AO) – Italy ]
    • E. Ceaglio  [ DISAFA and NatRisk-LNSA, University of Torino, Grugliasco (TO) - Italy ]  [ Fondazione Montagna Sicura - Montagne Sûre, Courmayeur (AO) – Italy ]
    • A. Welf  [ Monterosa S.p.a., Gressoney-La-Trinité (AO) – Italy ]
    • P. Dellavedova  [ Fondazione Montagna Sicura - Montagne Sûre, Courmayeur (AO) – Italy ]

    Date: 2013-10-07

    Abstract: Since 2009 the Seehore test site is operative within the MonterosaSki resort in Aosta Valley (NW Italy). This real scale test site was intended to study the dynamics of small/medium avalanches, the avalanche release processes and the interaction between avalanche flows and obstacles. From 2570 to 2300 m asl, the slope presents a NNW aspect, a mean inclination of about 28° and it is instrumented with a galvanized steel obstacle to measure avalanche impact forces and their effects on it. Though most of the avalanches are artificially triggered on a routine basis to secure the ski-runs of MonterosaSki resort, the system records also natural events. In case of avalanche release, the erosion/deposition mass and the front velocity are evaluated by laser scan measurements and photogrammetry. Avalanche outline is recorded by using GPS devices coupled with snow depth, density and granulometry measurements. In the release zone, snowpack properties and release features are recorded by field surveys. A specific survey is done for the snow deposited around the obstacle. Since Summer 2012, a high sensitive low noise infrasonic microphone was placed near the obstacle to understand the characteristic frequency range in infrasonic waves produced by avalanches. Moreover, the site was implemented in Fall 2012 with a snow/weather station installed on the ridge at 2570m asl to understand the influence of snowdrift on avalanche release. The data registered by obstacle and snow/weather station are locally stored by data-loggers and remotely transmitted to Politecnico of Torino. This paper describes the experimental test site and presents measurements/surveys performed during the last operating seasons.

    Object ID: ISSW13_paper_O4-36.pdf

    Language of Article: English

    Presenter(s): Unknown

    Keywords: small/medium avalanches, real scale test site, dynamics, impact forces, snowdrift

    Page Number(s): 1372-1377

    Subjects: snow drifting avalanche release experimental test sites

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