Wave Pattern of Flowing Snow Slabs
Abstract Equations are derived, using a total potential-energy formulation, which predict the wavelength of the dominant wave pattern of a flowing snow slab. Account is taken of the visco-elastic properties of an assumed surface layer of snow which overlays a distinct visco-elastic foundation layer...
| Published in: | Journal of Glaciology |
|---|---|
| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
1977
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000029397 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000029397 |
| Summary: | Abstract Equations are derived, using a total potential-energy formulation, which predict the wavelength of the dominant wave pattern of a flowing snow slab. Account is taken of the visco-elastic properties of an assumed surface layer of snow which overlays a distinct visco-elastic foundation layer of snow. The predicted wave pattern is recognized as a precursory mechanism which influences the characteristics of the sawtooth flank fracture pattern that may remain following a snow avalanche, particularly on broad, uniform slopes. The parameters that influence the wave pattern are determined by an order-of-magnitu de reduction of the terms in the governing differential equation for visco-elastic slab response. |
|---|