International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings - Montana State University Library

Item: Field Observations, Full-Scale Tests, Laboratory Investigations and Numerical Modelling of Snow Avalanches in Switzerland

• • Title: Field Observations, Full-Scale Tests, Laboratory Investigations and Numerical Modelling of Snow Avalanches in Switzerland

    Proceedings: 2002 International Snow Science Workshop, Penticton, British Columbia

    Authors:

    • Betty Sovilla  [ Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), Davos Dorf, Switzerland ]
    • Marc Christen  [ Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), Davos Dorf, Switzerland ]
    • Francois Dufour  [ Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), Davos Dorf, Switzerland ]
    • Urs Gruber  [ Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), Davos Dorf, Switzerland ]
    • Martin Kern  [ Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), Davos Dorf, Switzerland ]
    • Margherita Maggioni  [ Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), Davos Dorf, Switzerland ]
    • Felix Tiefenbacher  [ Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), Davos Dorf, Switzerland ]
    • Barbara Turnbull  [ Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), Davos Dorf, Switzerland ]
    • Perry Bartelt  [ Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), Davos Dorf, Switzerland ]

    Date: 2002

    Abstract: There are still many unresolved questions in snow avalanche dynamics. This was apparent during the catastrophic avalanche Winter of 1999. In this paper we overview on-going avalanche dynamics research at the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research. Field observations, full-scale tests and laboratory investigations are used in combination graphical information systems and numerical modeling to improve our understanding of the basic physical processes in both flowing and powder snow avalanches. Present research topics include mass balance and snow cover entrainment, avalanche release frequency, granular flow dynamics, powder avalanche initiation, avalanche interaction with defense structures and numerical modeling of mixed avalanches from initiation to runout.

    Object ID: issw-2002-071-078.pdf

    Language of Article: English

    Presenter(s): Unknown

    Keywords: flowing avalanches, powder avalanches, chute experiments, optical velocity sensors, capacitance density probes, velocity profiles, radar, mass balance, snow cover entrainment, numerical modelling

    Page Number(s): 71-78

    Subjects: snow avalanche numerical modelling snow cover entrainment

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