Item: Triggered Avalanche - a Case Study From the Italian Alps
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Title: Triggered Avalanche - a Case Study From the Italian Alps
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2016 Proceedings, Breckenridge, CO, USA
Authors:
- Igor Chiambretti [ AINEVA, Trento, Italy ]
- Bernardino Chiaia [ Politecnico di Torino, DISEG – Dip. Ingegneria Strutturale, Edile e Geotecnica, Torino, Italy ] [ ARCOS Engineering S.r.l., Torino, Italy ]
- Barbara Frigo [ Politecnico di Torino, DISEG – Dip. Ingegneria Strutturale, Edile e Geotecnica, Torino, Italy ]
Date: 2016-10-02
Abstract: The 6th February 2014, two parties of 25 Heli-skiers (6 guides and 19 clients) and 3 snow observers were on activity on a large bowl at 2800 m elevation in the western Italian Alps. The snow observers were executing stability test inside a snow pit on the upper-right side of the bowl while the group of Heli-skiers were performing several runs along the central sector. A large soft-slab avalanche was triggered and caught 12 people (3 guides and 6 clients + 3 snow observers) with 1 fatality from trauma and 1 fully burial completely recovered after rescue. The prosecuting attorney initially charged the snow observers for the accident, but further investigation has officially assessed a different dynamic and a total discharge for them. This accident will be examined in detail discussing the mechanism of nucleation and propagation of fracture across the bowl and the sequence of depositional lobes stacking in the run-out zone as well as their depositional structures. We do hope that sharing this information will help to prompt procedural changes, including improvements to internal safety procedures, both for European Heli-ski industry and avalanche warning services.
Object ID: ISSW16_O8.02.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s):
Keywords: Heli ski; triggered avalanche; accident case study
Page Number(s): 185-191
Subjects: helicopter skiing artificially triggered avalanches avalanche accident
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