A Reconstruction of Snow-Avalanche Characteristics in Montana, U.S.A., Using Vegetative Indicators

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Authors: Butler, David R., Malanson, George P.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1985
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Tilting; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000006444; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000006444

Abstract Widespread wet-snow avalanches were observed on the southern boundary of Glacier National Park, Montana, in February 1979. Severe tilting, scarring, and breakage of trees were observed along a transverse trim-line of one path, 70 m from a wet-snow deposit. Tree-ring data were used to establish the date of occurrence, and the nature of damage was used to characterize the avalanche event. The event probably included a previously unrecognized dry-snow avalanche and associated wind blast. Such events present different problems for natural-hazard planning. The nature of vegetative damage along the margins of avalanche paths is shown to be a useful indicator of the characteristics of past unobserved avalanche events.