Avalanches

An avalanche is a sudden, drastic flow of snow down a slope

Snow cover on a slope tends to slide down the slope be

Conditions affecting stability include the gravitational forc forces, such as the frictional resistance of the slope or the
 

In general, avalanches are caused when this balance is resistance.

Major Causes

Avalanches are released (spontaneously or artificially) by an increase in stress (e.g., by fresh snow) and/or


a decrease in strength (e.g., by warming or rain). Though internal metamorphism or stress development may sometim external triggers.
 

Ice fall, falling cornices,earthquakes, rock falls, thermal changes, bli

even other avalanches are common natural triggers.

 

Avalanches can also be triggered by loud sounds such as shouts, m

Avalanches form as soon as the force of gravity on the snow cov To be caused, an avalanches needs a steep slope, snow cover, Slopes

Most avalanches of dangerous size originate on slopes with inclinations of between 30 degrees and 45 degrees. On slopes avalanches are common, but snow seldom accumulates to sufficient depths to generate large snow slides. Convex slopes are more susceptible to avalanches than concave slopes.

Avalanches come in many shapes and sizes and even small ones

1) Slab avalanches: Most people that die in avalanches, die in slab avalanch .

2) Sluffs or loose snow avalanches: Sluffs are cold snow powdery surf 3) Wet avalanches: Wet slides occur when warm temperatures melt th

A powder snow avalanche in the Himalayas near Mount Everest.

The Impact of Snow Avalanches

The forces generated by moderate or large avalanches can damage or dest The debris from even small avalanches is enough to block a highway or railAvalanches are extremely destructive due to the great impact forces of the r Structures not specifically designed to withstand these impacts are generally

The following lists typical examples of damage to roads caused by ava of damage can differ depending on the scale and type of avalanche. Traffic blocked by snow deposited on road surface. Roads damaged by avalanches. Road structures, such as retaining walls, overturned.

Early Warning Systems against Snow Avalanche Hazards

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 l The second method is the analysis of the meteorological factors affecting snow depositions.


Snow cover, terrain and atmospheric parameters are the major inputs remote regions of the Himalayas using conventional ground based techniques, as there are several limitations due to the 1)inaccessibility and ruggedness of the terrain, 2)the lack of Satellite remote sensing is the most efficient tool for these purposes, especially for large, rugged, and remote Areas For gathering the latest terrain information on avalanche-prone areas, where cloud cover obstructs remote observation by other means.

Avalanche Control Strategies

nd probably best mitigation procedure is to avoid construction of buildings Methods of avalanche control include structural terrain modification to deflect the sliding snow away from the fixed facilities to be protected, or to actually prevent the avalanche release, and the planned release of small snow slides with explosives before snow accumulation increases their destructive potential to unmanageable proportions.

Explosive techniques have been used for the deliberate release of avalanches for many years. The theory behind this technique is to cause many smaller, contr Explosive control has been very effective in areas with easy acce

Engineering structures for the control of snow avalanches are of the

Supporting structures in the starting zone built on the upper part of the avalanche path to prevent avalanches from initiating, or to retard movement before it gains momentum. snow nets

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