Item: A manual for assessing, mapping and mitigating snow avalanche risk
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Title: A manual for assessing, mapping and mitigating snow avalanche risk
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings 2018, Innsbruck, Austria
Authors:
- Bruce Jamieson [ Snowline Associates Ltd., Calgary, Alberta, Canada ]
- Ryan Buhler [ Dynamic Avalanche Consulting Ltd., Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada ]
- Cam Campbell [ Alpine Solutions Avalanche Services, Squamish, British Columbia, Canada ]
- Michael Conlan [ BGC Engineering Inc., Calgary, Alberta, Canada ]
- Brian Gould [ Alpine Solutions Avalanche Services, Squamish, British Columbia, Canada ]
- Greg Johnson [ 6 Point Engineering and Avalanche Consulting Ltd., Nelson, British Columbia, Canada ]
- Alan Jones [ Dynamic Avalanche Consulting Ltd., Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada ]
- Grant Statham [ Alpine Specialists, Canmore, Alberta, Canada ]
- Scott Thumlert [ Alpine Solutions Avalanche Services, Squamish, British Columbia, Canada ]
Date: 2018-10-07
Abstract: In summer 2018, the Canadian Avalanche Association will publish a book entitled Planning Methods for Assessing and Mitigating Snow Avalanche Risk. This book describes the methods used to assess, map and mitigate snow avalanche hazard and risk. The book is intended for the consultants, engineers, geoscientists, and their teams who prepare the reports and maps. However, to encourage readers interested in, or starting land-use planning for snow avalanche risk, the book includes hypothetical examples and illustrations in which qualitative, semi-quantitative and quantitative assessment and mapping methods are applied to diverse situations where elements at risk are exposed to snow avalanches. The book does not prescribe which methods are to be used in specific situations or jurisdictions; rather it provides a toolbox of methods for practitioners to select from, adapt and apply. The assessment and mapping chapters may be most relevant to North America and other regions where there are few written records of avalanche runouts, dynamic models are poorly calibrated, yet vegetation damage from extreme runouts are often available. The book does not cover the operational (day-to-day) management of snow avalanche risk by avalanche forecasters, ski guides, etc. There are 14 chapters: an introduction that frames the methods in the ISO 31000 context, six chapters about characterizing the terrain and avalanches for the situation of interest, four chapters about assessment and mapping methods, and three chapters that overview mitigation methods. The 280-page book has 16 authors with diverse experience in assessing, mapping and mitigating snow avalanche hazard and risk.
Object ID: ISSW2018_O03.12.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s):
Keywords: snow avalanche, planning, assessment, mapping, mitigation, hazard, risk.
Page Number(s): 261-265
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