Avalanches in the USSR (Distribution, Division, Forecasting Possibilities)

• Main Author: Losev,K. S.
• Other Authors: COLD REGIONS RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING LAB HANOVER N H
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1970
• Subjects: Snow; Ice and Permafrost; (*AVALANCHES; *USSR); MOUNTAINS; PREDICTIONS; TERRAIN; PLANTS(BOTANY); SOILS; CLASSIFICATION; MELTING; SHEAR STRESSES; SAFETY; METEOROLOGICAL PHENOMENA; USSR; TABLES(DATA); TRANSLATIONS; Snow Hills; Ice; permafrost
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/AD0715090; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=AD0715090

The distribution of avalanches in the territory of the USSR is considered in this work. It is shown that avalanches are observed in practically all mountain regions. Fundamental indications are described, on the basis of which it is possible to determine in the summer period the degree of avalanche danger (forms of topography, vegetation, soils, snow hills). Hydrological signs of avalanche activity are covered in particular detail. The present methods of avalanche forecasting are analyzed and some new variations of these methods are proposed. An attemt is made to classify the mountain regions of the Soviet Union according to the degree of avalanche danger (with consideration of the character of the topography and the mean maximum depth of the snow cover) and according to avalanche-producing factors (on the basis of a genetic classification of avalanches). (Author) Trans. of Laviny SSSR (Rasprostranenie, Rayonirovanie, Vozmozhnosti Prognoza, Leningrad, 1966 p1-130.