Development and validation of a spatial snow-glide model

Leitinger, Georg; Höller, Peter; Tasser, Erich; Walde, Janette; Tappeiner, Ulrike

doi:10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2007.09.015

Cited by 42 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…These values represent the minimum Coulomb friction for a wet snow-soil interface that leads to glide-snow avalanche formation. They are slightly lower than the values Leitinger et al (2008) found for abandoned meadows, but in the same range as the values In der Gand and Zupančič (1966) estimated for wet grass. These values are in good agreement with previous studies, and indicate that meltwater is the crucial factor leading to glide-snow avalanches.…”

Section: Comparison Of Guidelines Model Results and Field Observationscontrasting

confidence: 43%

“…Although the relationship between slab length and slope angle at which glide-snow avalanches release is well understood (Fiebiger, 1978;Imbeck, 1984;Imbeck and MeyerGrass, 1988;Gubler and Rychetnik, 1991;Meyer-Grass and Schneebeli, 1992;Leitinger et al, 2008), the important role of ground roughness remains an unknown parameter. Ground friction dictates the force redistribution and therefore the loading on the stauchwall (In der Gand and Zupančič, 1966;McClung, 1975;Höller, 2004;Bartelt et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ground friction dictates the force redistribution and therefore the loading on the stauchwall (In der Gand and Zupančič, 1966;McClung, 1975;Höller, 2004;Bartelt et al, 2012). Vegetation can increase the ground roughness significantly (de Quervain, 1979;Fiebiger, 1978;Newesely et al, 2000;Höller, 2001;Leitinger et al, 2008;Schneebeli and Bebi, 2004;Weir, 2002). Although all authors agree that glidesnow avalanche activity is retarded by dense forest stands, the quantification of basal friction as a function of vegetation structure is missing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These guidelines were successfully applied in the past by foresters. Leitinger et al (2008) developed a spatial snow-glide model based on data of two study areas in Austria and Italy. It takes slope angle, surface roughness, slope aspect, winter precipitation and forest stand characteristics into account.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Quantification of basal friction for technical and silvicultural glide-snow avalanche mitigation measures

Feistl

Bebi

Dreier

et al. 2014

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract.A long-standing problem in avalanche engineering is to design defense structures and manage forest stands such that they can withstand the forces of the natural snow cover. In this way, glide-snow avalanches can be prevented. Ground friction plays a crucial role in this process. To verify existing guidelines, we collected data on the vegetation cover and terrain characteristics of 101 glide-snow release areas in Davos, Switzerland. We quantified the Coulomb friction parameter µ m by applying a physical model that accounts for the dynamic forces of the moving snow in the stauch zone. We investigated the role of glide length, slope steepness and friction in avalanche release. Our calculations revealed that the slope angle and slab length for smooth slopes correspond to the technical guidelines for defense structure distances in Switzerland. Artificial defense structures, built in accordance with guidelines, prevent glide-snow avalanche releases, even when the terrain is smooth. Slopes over 40 m in length and 45 • in steepness require a ground friction of µ m = 0.7 corresponding to stumps or tree regeneration to ensure protection. Forest management guidelines that define maximum forest gap sizes to prevent glide-snow avalanche release neglect the role of surface roughness and therefore underestimate the danger on smooth slopes.

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Section: Comparison Of Guidelines Model Results and Field Observationscontrasting

confidence: 43%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Quantification of basal friction for technical and silvicultural glide-snow avalanche mitigation measures

Feistl

Bebi

Dreier

et al. 2014

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

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“…For example, Meusburger et al (2010) reported LS values in the range 0-57.5 for a study site in the Swiss Alps with an average slope of 24.6 • . The slope angle interval (Table 1) confirms that the area is potentially prone to both snow gliding (Leitinger et al, 2008) and glide-snow avalanches (Confortola et al, 2012). RUSLE factors K and LS did not differ significantly among subareas (ANOVA).…”

Section: Rusle-based Average Long-term Erosion Ratesmentioning

confidence: 67%

Soil erosion in an avalanche release site (Valle d'Aosta: Italy): towards a winter factor for RUSLE in the Alps

Stanchi

Freppaz

Ceaglio³

et al. 2014

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. Soil erosion in Alpine areas is mainly related to extreme topographic and weather conditions. Although different methods of assessing soil erosion exist, the knowledge of erosive forces of the snow cover needs more investigation in order to allow soil erosion modeling in areas where the snow lays on the ground for several months. This study aims to assess whether the RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) empirical prediction model, which gives an estimation of water erosion in t ha yr −1 obtained from a combination of five factors (rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, topography, soil cover, protection practices) can be applied to mountain areas by introducing a winter factor (W ), which should account for the soil erosion occurring in winter time by the snow cover. The W factor is calculated from the ratio of Ceasium-137 ( 137 Cs) to RUSLE erosion rates. Ceasium-137 is another possible way of assessing soil erosion rates in the field. In contrast to RUSLE, it not only provides waterinduced erosion but integrates all erosion agents involved. Thus, we hypothesize that in mountain areas the difference between the two approaches is related to the soil erosion by snow. In this study we compared 137 Cs-based measurement of soil redistribution and soil loss estimated with RUSLE in a mountain slope affected by avalanches, in order to assess the relative importance of winter erosion processes such as snow gliding and full-depth avalanches. Three subareas were considered: DS, avalanche defense structures, RA, release area, and TA, track area, characterized by different prevalent winter processes. The RUSLE estimates and the 137 Cs redistribution gave significantly different results. The resulting ranges of W evidenced relevant differences in the role of winter erosion in the considered subareas, and the application of an avalanche simulation model corroborated these findings. Thus, the higher rates obtained with the 137 Cs method confirmed the relevant role of winter soil erosion. Despite the limited sample size (11 points), the inclusion of a W factor in RUSLE seems promising for the improvement of soil erosion estimates in Alpine environments affected by snow movements.

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Continuous monitoring of snowpack displacement at high spatial and temporal resolution with terrestrial radar interferometry

Caduff

Wiesmann

Bühler³

et al. 2015

Geophysical Research Letters

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Terrestrial radar interferometry is used in geotechnical applications for monitoring hazardous Earth or rock movements. In this study, we use it to continuously monitor snowpack displacements. As test site, the Dorfberg slope at Davos, Switzerland, was measured continuously during March 2014. The line of sight displacement was retrieved at a spatial resolution of millimeter to centimeter and a temporal resolution of up to 1 min independent of visibility. The results reveal several temperature-driven diurnal acceleration and deceleration cycles. The initiation of a small full-depth glide avalanche was observed after 50 cm total differential displacement. The maximum measured displacement of another differential glide area reached 43 cm/h without resulting in a full-depth avalanche even after a total measured differential displacement of 4.5 m. In regard of the difficulty to predict full-depth glide avalanches on the regional scale, the presented method has big potential for operational snow glide monitoring on critical slopes.

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Development and validation of a spatial snow-glide model

Cited by 42 publications

References 20 publications

Quantification of basal friction for technical and silvicultural glide-snow avalanche mitigation measures

Quantification of basal friction for technical and silvicultural glide-snow avalanche mitigation measures

Soil erosion in an avalanche release site (Valle d'Aosta: Italy): towards a winter factor for RUSLE in the Alps

Continuous monitoring of snowpack displacement at high spatial and temporal resolution with terrestrial radar interferometry

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