A Field Test to Assess Snow-Slope Stability

Abstract A simple field test of snow-slope stability is proposed, which allows decisions about a number of factors recently described by Conway and Abrahamson (1984). These include spatial variation of snow strength along a slope, and progression of failure from a localized initial failure. Strength...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Glaciology
Main Authors: Conway, H., Abrahamson, J., Young, R.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1986
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000012260
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000012260
Description
Summary:Abstract A simple field test of snow-slope stability is proposed, which allows decisions about a number of factors recently described by Conway and Abrahamson (1984). These include spatial variation of snow strength along a slope, and progression of failure from a localized initial failure. Strength within the snow slab is considered as well as that at its base. A snow saw is required for the test and, because a number of tests can be made in a few minutes, much information on the state of the slope can be obtained in a practical time.