Item: When Should a Hazard Map Show the Risk of Small Avalanches or Snow Gliding?
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Title: When Should a Hazard Map Show the Risk of Small Avalanches or Snow Gliding?
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Grenoble – Chamonix Mont-Blanc - October 07-11, 2013
Authors:
- Stefan Margreth [ WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos, Switzerland ]
Date: 2013-10-07
Abstract: Avalanche hazard maps describe the extent and intensity of snow avalanches. In Switzerland red, blue and yellow zones are used which are based on scenarios with return periods varying between 30 and 300 years. In addition, hazard maps should show areas prone to snow gliding. The procedure for the assessment of extreme avalanches is relatively well defined. However, the criteria whether the hazard on a small hillside should be handled as an avalanche area, as a snow gliding area or whether the hazard can even be neglected at all are not well defined. Winter 2011-2012 when snow gliding was a widespread threat in the Swiss Alps was the catalyst to elaborate a leaflet on the thematic. Typically, an avalanche hazard is specified in a hazard map, if the dynamic pressure of an avalanche is greater than the static snow pressure. We propose a procedure based on seven factors how the hazard of snow gliding can be assessed. The snow gliding hazard on hillsides can often be mitigated by relatively simple structural measures.
Object ID: ISSW13_paper_P2-39.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Unknown
Keywords: hazard map, snow gliding, glide snow avalanche, small avalanche
Page Number(s): 679-683
Subjects: hazard mapping glide avalanches avalanche risk
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