How much of the real avalanche activity can be captured with tree rings? An evaluation of classic dendrogeomorphic approaches and comparison with historical archives

Corona, Christophe; Lopez-Saez, Jérôme; Stoffel, Markus; Bonnefoy, Mylène; Richard, Didier; Astrade, Laurent; Berger, Frédéric

doi:10.1016/j.coldregions.2012.01.003

Cited by 77 publications

(77 citation statements)

References 38 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…A recent study on treering-based avalanches record tested the representativity of the natural archive to the meteorological conditions during the last 50 years based on the EPA database (Schläppy et al, 2016). It revealed a underestimation compared to natural variability estimated to roughly 60 % (Corona et al, 2012;Schläppy et al, 2014), and may be transferable to lacustrine avalanche deposits. Based on the data comparisons, we propose that intervals of significant avalanche activity in the Oisans Valley are represented by sedimentary layers containing a minimum of four clasts of a > 2 mm size present in a 5 mm thickness layer.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A new CT scan methodology to characterize a small aggregation gravel clast contained in a soft sediment matrix

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Over the past decades, X-ray computed tomography (CT) has been increasingly applied in the geosciences community. CT scanning is a rapid, non-destructive method allowing the assessment of relative density of clasts in natural archives samples. This study focuses on the use of this method to explore instantaneous deposits as major contributors to sedimentation of high-elevation lakes in the Alps, such as the Lake Lauvitel system (western French Alps). This lake is located within a very steep valley prone to episodic flooding and features gullies ending in the lake. This variety of erosion processes leads to deposition of sedimentary layers with distinct clastic properties. We identified 18 turbidites and 15 layers of poorly sorted fine sediment associated with the presence of gravels since AD 1880. These deposits are respectively interpreted as being induced by flood and wet avalanche. This constitutes a valuable record from a region where few historical records exist. This CT scan approach is suitable for instantaneous deposit identification to reconstruct past evolution and may be applicable to a wider variety of sedimentary archives alongside existing approaches.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A new CT scan methodology to characterize a small aggregation gravel clast contained in a soft sediment matrix

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A major limitation of dendrochronology is that it may underestimate years with natural avalanche activity, in extreme cases by up to 60 % (Corona et al 2012;Schläppy et al 2013;Stoffel et al 2013). Consequently, while complementing generally poor time series of snow avalanche activity back in time, reconstructed series will often remain incomplete in such a way that the relevance of avalanche-climate relationships inferred from tree-ring data is unclear and warrants careful examination.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…1). All paths except Lanslevillard were previously used to assess the ability of dendrochronology to document snow avalanche activity by comparing historical observations and tree-ring-derived snow avalanches (Corona et al 2012;Schläppy et al 2013Schläppy et al , 2014.…”

Section: Study Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can we infer avalanche–climate relations using tree-ring data? Case studies in the French Alps

et al. 2015

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Despite the convincing match between local flash floods and regional flood events, it is necessary to emphasize that dendrogeomorphic reconstructions of past geomorphic activity (of any nature) will always remain as minimum frequencies . Therefore, some events could remain missed even if efforts are undertaken to optimize sample depth to minimize noise and to maximize signals (e.g., Corona et al, 2012Corona et al, , 2013Corona et al, , 2014Schneuwly-Bollschweiler et al, 2013; Stoffel et al, …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unravelling past flash flood activity in a forested mountain catchment of the Spanish Central System

Ballesteros‐Cánovas

Rodríguez-Morata

Garófano‐Gómez

et al. 2015

Journal of Hydrology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Flash floods represent one of the most common natural hazards in mountain catchments, and are fre-quent in Mediterranean environments. As a result of the widespread lack of reliable data on past events, the understanding of their spatio-temporal occurrence and their climatic triggers remains rather limited. Here, we present a dendrogeomorphic reconstruction of past flash flood activity in the Arroyo de los Puentes stream (Sierra de Guadarrama, Spanish Central System). We analyze a total of 287 increment cores from 178 disturbed Scots pine trees (Pinus sylvestris L.) which yielded indications on 212 growth disturbances related to past flash flood impact. In combination with local archives, meteorological data, annual forest management records and highly-resolved terrestrial data (i.e., LiDAR data and aerial imag-ery), the dendrogeomorphic time series allowed dating 25 flash floods over the last three centuries, with a major event leaving an intense geomorphic footprint throughout the catchment in 1936. The analysis of meteorological records suggests that the rainfall thresholds of flash floods vary with the seasonality of events. Dated flash floods in the 20th century were primarily related with synoptic troughs owing to the arrival of air masses from north and west on the Iberian Peninsula during negative indices of the North Atlantic Oscillation. The results of this study contribute considerably to a better understanding of hazards related with hydrogeomorphic processes in central Spain in general and in the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park in particular.

show abstract

How much of the real avalanche activity can be captured with tree rings? An evaluation of classic dendrogeomorphic approaches and comparison with historical archives

Cited by 77 publications

References 38 publications

A new CT scan methodology to characterize a small aggregation gravel clast contained in a soft sediment matrix

A new CT scan methodology to characterize a small aggregation gravel clast contained in a soft sediment matrix

Can we infer avalanche–climate relations using tree-ring data? Case studies in the French Alps

Unravelling past flash flood activity in a forested mountain catchment of the Spanish Central System

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About