Informal Cooperative State-Federal Avalanche-Warning System and Public Education Program for South-Central Alaska, U.S.A.

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Authors: Hackett, Steve W., Fesler, Douglas
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1980
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Anchorage; Journal of Glaciology; Alaska
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000011011; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000011011

Abstract The sagas of Alaskan winter outdoor activities contain increasing accounts of sudden deaths from snow avalanches. Over 100 documented fatalities have occurred within Alaska since 1898 22 people died in south-central Alaska in the past 8 years. With increases in population, development, and use of the mountainous areas, avalanche warning and public education have acquired a new and very important function in Alaska. Some efforts towards establishing an avalanche warning system for south-central Alaska have been initiated by state and federal agencies. Snow-avalanche education programs presented by Alaska Division of Parks, local rescue groups, and outdoor educators have helped to increase the overall avalanche awareness in the Anchorage community. Formalization and expansion of current efforts are aimed to reduce future snow-avalanche accidents and fatalities.