The spatial variability of snow resistance on potential avalanche slopes
Abstract Since snow avalanches are believed to release from zones of localized weakness, knowledge of snow-strength patterns is important for determining slope stability and for applying effective avalanche-control measures. In this study, the spatial variability of snow resistance (an index of snow...
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Cambridge University Press (CUP)
1995
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Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000017871 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000017871 |
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crcambridgeupr:10.1017/s0022143000017871 2024-04-07T07:53:42+00:00 The spatial variability of snow resistance on potential avalanche slopes Birkeland, K. W. Hansen, K.J. Brown, R. L. 1995 http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000017871 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000017871 en eng Cambridge University Press (CUP) Journal of Glaciology volume 41, issue 137, page 183-190 ISSN 0022-1430 1727-5652 Earth-Surface Processes journal-article 1995 crcambridgeupr https://doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000017871 2024-03-08T00:36:25Z Abstract Since snow avalanches are believed to release from zones of localized weakness, knowledge of snow-strength patterns is important for determining slope stability and for applying effective avalanche-control measures. In this study, the spatial variability of snow resistance (an index of snow strength) and depth were measured and compared with terrain features on two inclined slopes. A refined instrument allowed the strength of an entire snow slab to be characterized in a short time. The spatial pattern of trees appeared to affect the pattern of snow depth at one site, where a significant linear relationship was found between snow depth and average snow resistance. These results suggest that localized snow-depth variations may be important in snow-strength genesis. Although a linear relationship existed at that site, additional factors may be critically relevant. A second site with more complex terrain features and less localized wind drifting did not show a linear relationship between depth and average resistance. Instead, complex patterns of resistance demonstrated that many factors contribute to snow resistance. In particular, die snow overlying rocks was found to have significantly weaker resistance than that in adjacent areas not over rocks. Article in Journal/Newspaper Journal of Glaciology Cambridge University Press Journal of Glaciology 41 137 183 190 |
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Open Polar |
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Cambridge University Press |
op_collection_id |
crcambridgeupr |
language |
English |
topic |
Earth-Surface Processes |
spellingShingle |
Earth-Surface Processes Birkeland, K. W. Hansen, K.J. Brown, R. L. The spatial variability of snow resistance on potential avalanche slopes |
topic_facet |
Earth-Surface Processes |
description |
Abstract Since snow avalanches are believed to release from zones of localized weakness, knowledge of snow-strength patterns is important for determining slope stability and for applying effective avalanche-control measures. In this study, the spatial variability of snow resistance (an index of snow strength) and depth were measured and compared with terrain features on two inclined slopes. A refined instrument allowed the strength of an entire snow slab to be characterized in a short time. The spatial pattern of trees appeared to affect the pattern of snow depth at one site, where a significant linear relationship was found between snow depth and average snow resistance. These results suggest that localized snow-depth variations may be important in snow-strength genesis. Although a linear relationship existed at that site, additional factors may be critically relevant. A second site with more complex terrain features and less localized wind drifting did not show a linear relationship between depth and average resistance. Instead, complex patterns of resistance demonstrated that many factors contribute to snow resistance. In particular, die snow overlying rocks was found to have significantly weaker resistance than that in adjacent areas not over rocks. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Birkeland, K. W. Hansen, K.J. Brown, R. L. |
author_facet |
Birkeland, K. W. Hansen, K.J. Brown, R. L. |
author_sort |
Birkeland, K. W. |
title |
The spatial variability of snow resistance on potential avalanche slopes |
title_short |
The spatial variability of snow resistance on potential avalanche slopes |
title_full |
The spatial variability of snow resistance on potential avalanche slopes |
title_fullStr |
The spatial variability of snow resistance on potential avalanche slopes |
title_full_unstemmed |
The spatial variability of snow resistance on potential avalanche slopes |
title_sort |
spatial variability of snow resistance on potential avalanche slopes |
publisher |
Cambridge University Press (CUP) |
publishDate |
1995 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000017871 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000017871 |
genre |
Journal of Glaciology |
genre_facet |
Journal of Glaciology |
op_source |
Journal of Glaciology volume 41, issue 137, page 183-190 ISSN 0022-1430 1727-5652 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000017871 |
container_title |
Journal of Glaciology |
container_volume |
41 |
container_issue |
137 |
container_start_page |
183 |
op_container_end_page |
190 |
_version_ |
1795669775574106112 |