Item: Using AVAL-1D to Simulate Avalanches in Eastern Pyrenees
-
-
Title: Using AVAL-1D to Simulate Avalanches in Eastern Pyrenees
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop, Davos 2009, Proceedings
Authors:
- Pere Oller [ Institut Geològic de Catalunya ]
- Marc Janeras [ Geocat Gestió de Projectes ]
- Hèctor de Buen [ Geocat Gestió de Projectes ]
- Georgina Arnó [ Geocat Gestió de Projectes ]
- Marc Christen [ WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF ]
- Carles GarcÃa [ Institut Geològic de Catalunya ]
- Pere MartÃnez [ Institut Geològic de Catalunya ]
Date: 2009
Abstract: The numerical avalanche dynamics program AVAL-1D, developed by the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, was calibrated empirically with real avalanches in the Swiss Alps. For the simulation of avalanches with this program, the SLF recommends the use of two friction parameters obtained for this purpose. Applying these parameters to other regions with different characteristics can lead to inaccuracies if a previous calibration is not performed, but often there is not enough data to do a proper calibration when an avalanche is simulated in a specific avalanche path. For this reason, an investigation to determine the specific parameters to be used in the Catalan Pyrenees was performed. This study was based on back-calculations of well documented events. Twelve dense flow or mixed avalanche events, from small to large size, were selected from nearly 2500 avalanches stored in the Avalanche Database of Catalonia (BDAC). The availability of morphometric and dynamics data, necessary for this purpose, was the critical factor to reject several cases. The result of the study reveals that there is a good fit between the recorded avalanche events and the simulated one’s using the SLF recommended parameters.
Object ID: issw-2009-0524-0528.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): unknown
Keywords: hazard mapping, aval-1d, pyrenees, friction parameters
Page Number(s): 524-528
Subjects: aval-1d avalanches eastern pyrenees
-