Geomorphology of snow avalanche impact landforms in the southern Canadian Cordillera

Abstract

Snow avalanche impact landforms (SAILs) are typically elliptical-shaped depressions bounded by an arcuate ridge located at the base of avalanche paths. The geomorphology of these features is controlled by the topography of the avalanche path, the availability of unconsolidated debris in the impact area and the ability of the avalanche impacts to displace the available debris in the direction of avalanche flow. Ground-based snow avalanches move debris by bulldozing, and airborne snow avalanches move sediment by excavation on impact.

Pronival rampart formation in relation to snow-avalanche activity and Schmidt-hammer exposure-age dating (SHD): Three case studies from southern Norway

“…Hole, 1981;Luckman et al, 1994;Matthews and McCarroll, 1994;Smith et al, 1994;Owen et al, 2009;Johnson and Smith, 2010). The main snow-avalanche route on the upper slopes of Alnestinden is shown by the avalanche track eroded in the till slope beneath the bedrock cliff (Fig.…”

Spatial Modeling of Snow Avalanche Using Machine Learning Models and Geo-Environmental Factors: Comparison of Effectiveness in Two Mountain Regions

“…This variable has been applied in the fields of hydrology [55], geomorphology [56], climatology [57], risk management [58] and snow avalanche risk assessment [50]. In addition, it is useful for landform classification and can be computed with De Reu [59] (Equation (1)):…”

Schmidt‐hammer exposure‐age dating (SHD) of snow‐avalanche impact ramparts in southern Norway: approaches, results and implications for landform age, dynamics and development

“…Snow-avalanche impact produces a variety of relatively uncommon landforms and deposits, ranging from pits and pools to mounds, spreads and ramparts, few of which have been investigated in detail. Studies of these landforms have been largely descriptive (Corner, 1980;Hole, 1981;Fitzharris and Owens, 1984;Blikra et al, 1989;Matthews and McCarroll, 1994;Smith et al, 1994;Owen et al, 2006;Johnson and Smith, 2010), and they have rarely been observed during formation (Liestøl, 1974) or dated. Matthews and McCarroll (1994) attempted to date several examples from the study area using lichenometry, and Smith et al (1994) used radiocarbon dating and dendrochronology in their investigation of two examples from the Canadian Rocky Mountains.…”