Geophysical Events: Avalanche

Avalanche

The snow avalanche, a common occurrence in snow covered mountainous regions, is a

slide of snow mass down a mountainside. This is a rapid downslope movement of a
large detached mass of snow, ice, and associated debris such as rocks and
vegetation. Small avalanches, or sluffs, occur in large numbers, while large
avalanches that may encompass slopes a kilometre or more in length with millions of
tons of snow, occur infrequently but cause most of the damage. Humans have been
exposed to the threat of sliding snow for as long as they have inhabited
mountainous regions. A large avalanche can run for many kilometres, and result in
massive destruction of forests and anything else that comes in its way.

Types

Loose snow avalanches is simply loose snow that originates at a single point on a
slope, steeper than its natural angle of repose and gathers cohesionless snow on
the surface of the pack as it descends. If enough momentum is generated, the
sliding snow may run out onto level ground, or even ascend an opposite valley
[Link] avalanches originate in snow with sufficient internal cohesion to enable
a snow layer, or layers, to react mechanically as a single entity. The degree of
this required cohesion may range from very slight in fresh, new snow (soft slab) to
very high in hard, wind drifted snow (hard slab). A slab avalanche breaks free
along a characteristic fracture line, a sharp division of sliding from stable snow,
whose face stands perpendicular to the slope. The entire surface of unstable snow
is set in motion at the same time, especially when the cohesive snow lies on top of
a weak [Link] snow avalanches move more slowly than dry ones and are seldom
accompanied by dust clouds. Their higher snow density can lend them enormous
destructive force in spite of lower velocities. As wet slides reach their
deposition zones, the interaction of sliding and stagnated snow produces a
characteristic [Link] action avalanches are the immediate result of a
single snowstorm. They usually involve only fresh [Link] avalanches are caused
by a series of snowstorms or a culmination of weather influences. Their fall is not
necessarily associated with a current storm or weather situation.

Causes

Avalanches form as soon as the force of gravity on the snow cover exceeds its
mechanical strength. To be caused, an avalanche needs a steep slope, snow cover, a
weak layer in the snow cover and a trigger to initiate movement. Snow avalanches
may occur on any slope where enough snow is deposited in the right circumstances.
Snow does not accumulate significantly on steep slopes; also, snow does not flow
easily on flat slopes. Convex slopes are more susceptible to avalanches than
concave slopes.

The complete path of an avalanche is made up of a starting zone at the top where
the unstable snow breaks away from the more stable part of the snow cover, a run-
out zone at the bottom where the moving snow and entrained debris stop, and a track
that runs between the two zones. The air blast zone is usually in the vicinity, but
not necessarily continuous with the lower track or run-out zone. In some cases it
may even run way up the slope across the valley from the avalanche path.

Impact

The forces generated by moderate or large avalanches can damage or destroy most
man- made structures. The debris from even small avalanches is enough to block a
highway or railroad. Avalanches are extremely destructive due to the great impact
forces of the rapidly moving snow and debris and the burial of areas in the run-out
zone. Structures not specifically designed to withstand these impacts are generally
totally destroyed. Where avalanches cross highways, passing vehicles can be swept
away and destroyed, killing their occupants.

Mitigation and Preparation

Early warning System

There are two basic methods of anticipating an avalanche hazard. One is the
examination of the snow cover structure for patterns of weakness, particularly
those leading to slab avalanches. The second method is the analysis of the
meteorological factors affecting snow depositions. In practice the two methods
overlap and both are used. Emphasis on either one or the other depends on the local
climate, pattern of snowfall, snow type, and avalanche characteristics. Both apply
principally to winter avalanches in dry snow. Forecasting wet spring avalanches
depends on knowledge of the heat input to the snow surface.

Avalanche Control Strategies

Engineering structure for the control of snow avalanche are of these four types

Mitigation of the Impact of Avalanches

Modification of the path of avalanche [Link] have control structures, such as,
snow bridges, snow rakes, snow net, snow fences, avalanche gallery, diversionary
dam, earthen mounds and above all planting those areas with [Link]
forecasting and timely relaying of information would enable people, in the
vulnerable areas down under, to escape to safe places.A forest with thick growth of
trees inhibits the formation of avalanches for the following reasons. Tree trunk
support snow cover and provide an anchor to prevent the movement of avalancheSnow
drifting is slowed [Link] canopy retains snow and releases it gradually to form
a stable cover on the groundForest canopy stabilises the snow. Avoid travelling
during daytime from 09.00 AM to 04.00 PM. Usually avalanches get occur at this
[Link] and Trekkers should carry with them safety and sound alarm, as the
time that one can remain trapped under an avalanche is about 10 to 15 [Link]
Dogs are efficient in detecting people, trapped under snow.

Response

Search and Rescue Operations

In snow avalanches, the survivors among the victims are the first responders. For
this reason, self-rescue or companion rescue is vital, more so since organised help
takes time to arrive.

The chances of a buried victim being found alive and being rescued increase when
victims carry and use standard avalanche equipment. The equipment used in Western
countries include avalanche cords, beacons, probes, shovels and other devices like
Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB) containing the Global
Positioning System (GPS), and mobile phones. A first aid kit and equipment is
useful for assisting survivors who may have cuts, broken bones, or other injuries,
in addition to hypothermia.