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Risk analyses for dry snow slab avalanches released by skier triggering

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  • D. McClung

Abstract

Since human triggering is responsible for about 90 % of deaths from slab avalanches in Europe and North America, risk analysis is very important for skier triggering of avalanches. The depth to the weak layer and the slope angle are two key measureable quantities prior to dry slab avalanche release. Both are important in risk analysis. The probability of avalanche release dramatically increases as the slope angle increases above 25°. As the slab depth increases, the consequences increase rapidly if an avalanche releases. Simple risk analyses for skier triggering were done for both slope angle and slab depth. The slab depth analysis showed there is a range of about 0.6–1.0 m for which the risk of death is highest. For slope angles, the range with highest risk was shown to be 33°–45° within the known range (25°–55°) for skier-triggered avalanches. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Suggested Citation

  • D. McClung, 2014. "Risk analyses for dry snow slab avalanches released by skier triggering," 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. 72(2), pages 1139-1158, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:72:y:2014:i:2:p:1139-1158
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-014-1060-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. D. McClung, 2011. "The strength and weight of evidence in backcountry avalanche forecasting," 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. 59(3), pages 1635-1645, December.
    2. Harpa Grímsdóttir & David Mcclung, 2006. "Avalanche Risk During Backcountry Skiing – An Analysis of Risk Factors," 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. 39(1), pages 127-153, September.
    3. D. McClung, 2013. "Effects of triggering mechanism on snow avalanche slope angles and slab depths from field 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. 69(3), pages 1721-1731, December.
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