Avalanche zoning in alaska, U.S.A.

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Authors: Hackett, Steve W., Santeford, Henry S.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1980
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Arctic; Brooks Range; Journal of Glaciology; Alaska
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000010911; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000010911

Abstract Over 30% of Alaska’s 586 400 squares miles (1 518900 km 2 ) is subject to snow-avalanche activity. For a state-wide avalanche hazard evaluation, Alaska has been divided into six major snow— avalanche regions on the basis of topography, climatological data, dominant snow—pack conditions, and typical avalanche activity. They are: Arctic Slope, Brooks Range, Western, Interior, South—central, and South—east. Mountainous terrain was studied at scales of 1 : 250 000 and 1 : 1 584000; final compilation was at a scale of 1 : 2 500 000. Regional snow—pack and climatic conditions were cross—correlated with relief zonation of each avalanche region to produce a map of Alaska's provisional snow—avalanche potential. Most of the mountainous areas in the South—central and South—east regions, because of their northern latitude, closeness to large masses of water, and large orographic and cylonic weather processes, are susceptible to major avalanche activity. For areas near population centers, the potential avalanche terrain has been identified from data on known and suspected avalanche activity through air photographs, terrain analysis, and documented snow—avalanche occurrences compiled at scales of 1 : 250 000 and 1 : 63 360. The state—wide regional data compilation and study are initial steps toward avalanche zoning in Alaska. Local land—use planning and detailed investigations are needed to establish effective natural—hazard zoning in municipal areas as related to snow avalanche activity.