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Temporal Trend and Spatial Distribution of Avalanche Activity during the Last 50 Years in Switzerland

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  • Martin Laternser
  • Martin Schneebeli

Abstract

Avalanche observations are an important factor foroperational avalanche warningand the main parameter to carry out an objectiveverification of the avalanche bulletinin retrospect. For the first time, a 50-year longseries of avalanche activity data of 84Swiss avalanche observation stations is analysed anddiscussed. After careful datapreparation a regional avalanche activity index (RAAI)for seven snow-climatologicalregions of Switzerland was developed. Using differentstatistical descriptors, we wereunable to detect a long-term change in avalancheactivity, which stands in contrast toa significant increase of winter precipitation.The comparison of the RAAI with acomprehensive database for destructive avalanches(DADB) resulted in a low correlation.This shows clearly the difficulties involved indetermining a good measure for specifyingthe true avalanche activity. Depending on thedegree of the avalanche activity DADB andavalanche observations represent the avalancheactivity differently and overlap. Suggestionsare given for the improvement of the ongoingavalanche observation programme in order toachieve an overall consistent and reliabledata set in future. Copyright Kluwer Academic Publishers 2002

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Laternser & Martin Schneebeli, 2002. "Temporal Trend and Spatial Distribution of Avalanche Activity during the Last 50 Years in Switzerland," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 27(3), pages 201-230, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:27:y:2002:i:3:p:201-230
    DOI: 10.1023/A:1020327312719
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Daniel Germain & Louise Filion & Bernard Hétu, 2009. "Snow avalanche regime and climatic conditions in the Chic-Choc Range, eastern Canada," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 92(1), pages 141-167, January.
    2. Sven Fuchs & Magdalena Thöni & Maria McAlpin & Urs Gruber & Michael Bründl, 2007. "Avalanche Hazard Mitigation Strategies Assessed by Cost Effectiveness Analyses and Cost Benefit Analyses—evidence from Davos, Switzerland," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 41(1), pages 113-129, April.
    3. Leighton M. Watson & Brad Carpenter & Kevin Thompson & Jeffrey B. Johnson, 2022. "Using local infrasound arrays to detect plunging snow avalanches along the Milford Road, New Zealand (Aotearoa)," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 111(1), pages 949-972, March.
    4. Peter Höller, 2009. "Avalanche cycles in Austria: an analysis of the major events in the last 50 years," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 48(3), pages 399-424, March.
    5. Conny Hammer & Donat Fäh & Matthias Ohrnberger, 2017. "Automatic detection of wet-snow avalanche seismic signals," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 86(2), pages 601-618, March.
    6. Sven Fuchs & Margreth Keiler & Sergey Sokratov & Alexander Shnyparkov, 2013. "Spatiotemporal dynamics: the need for an innovative approach in mountain hazard risk management," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 68(3), pages 1217-1241, September.
    7. Peter Höller, 2007. "Avalanche hazards and mitigation in Austria: a review," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 43(1), pages 81-101, October.
    8. Flaviu Meseșan & Ionela G. Gavrilă & Olimpiu T. Pop, 2018. "Calculating snow-avalanche return period from tree-ring data," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 94(3), pages 1081-1098, December.
    9. Bilal Saif & Mohammad Tahir & Amir Sultan & Muhammad Tahir Iqbal & Talat Iqbal & Muhammad Ali Shah & Samia Gurmani, 2022. "Triggering mechanisms of Gayari avalanche, Pakistan," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 112(3), pages 2361-2383, July.

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