Slush-Flow Questionnaire

Onesti, Lawrence J.; Hestnes, Erik

doi:10.1017/s0260305500007941

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 3 publications

(2 reference statements)

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“…Several different terms have been used for slushflows (e.g., slushers, slush avalanche, rain-on-snow-event) and has previously distorted the classification and establishment of an accountable slushflow database. (e.g., Onesti and Hestnes, 1989;Hestnes, 1998). On the one hand, the large erosional capacity of slushflows, and possible transformation into debris flows, complicates the interpretation of the deposits (Hestnes and 355 Kristensen, 2010).…”

Section: Slushflow Observations 350mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…35 farther downward steep slopes and may transform into debris flows. Due to their high water content, slushflows have large erosional forces (Rapp, 1960;Onesti and Hestnes, 1989). They often erode the ground along their path and accumulate mass by incorporating rocks, debris, and other materials.…”

Section: Introduction 30mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Even though slushflows can occur anywhere globally with seasonal snow cover given the right combinations of factors (Onesti and Hestnes, 1989), no standardized national or international method for regional forecast of slushflow hazard has been developed. The need for such a service, with utility value for road and rail, but also for outdoor life, was promoted already in the 1990s (Barsch et al, 1993;Gude and Scherer, 1998).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…The need for such a service, with utility value for road and rail, but also for outdoor life, was promoted already in the 1990s (Barsch et al, 1993;Gude and Scherer, 1998). The lack of further development may have several reasons: some 165 assumed that slushflows only occurred in restricted parts of the world, slushflows are often misclassified, and sufficient regional data input has not been available, even though the phenomenon has been known for more than 300 years (Onesti and Hestnes, 1989).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Operational regional slushflow early warning

Sund,

Grønsten,

Seljesæter

2023

Preprint

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Abstract. Slushflows are observed worldwide in areas with seasonal snow cover. A regional early warning for slushflow hazard was established in Norway in 2013–14 as the first in the world of its kind and has been operational since. This paper presents a methodology using water supply – snow depth ratio by snow type, employing grid values and data from historical slushflows, to assess regional slushflow hazard. In Norway slushflows pose a significant natural hazard. Hazard prediction and early warning is therefore crucial to prevent casualties and damage to infrastructure. A benefit with this approach is that it can be implemented in other regions with slushflow hazard where the necessary input data are available. Slushflows are rapid mass movements of water saturated snow. They release in low to moderate slopes (< 30°). Due to their high liquid water content, slushflows usually have long runouts, and they can transform into debris flows. A complex interaction between several factors is the key to slushflow initiation. Impeded infiltration of the ground is a prerequisite. Porous snow structures are most prone to destabilization. Rate and duration of water supply, due to rain on snow and/or intense snowmelt, is crucial. The daily assessment of slushflow hazard is based on information on snow cover and hydro-meteorological conditions. Four main variables are central: ground conditions, snow properties, air temperature, and water supply to snow. A wide range of meteorological and hydrological parameters from multiple sources, together with real-time data from automatic stations and observations from the field, are assessed. The data is provided from the decision-making tool Varsom Xgeo, presenting outputs from model simulations as gridded maps (1x1 km). A first water supply-to-snow depth ratio for different types of snow has been developed using grid values and data from historical slushflows.

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Section: Slushflow Observations 350mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introduction 30mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Operational regional slushflow early warning

Sund,

Grønsten,

Seljesæter

2023

Preprint

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A low‐angle slushflow in the Kirgiz Range, Kirgizstan

Elder

Kattelmann

1993

Permafrost & Periglacial

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A rare observation of a slushflow that released on a low-angle slope was made on 16 May 1992 in the West Karakol Valley, southern Kirgiz Range, Kirgizstan. The slushflow released on a short slope of 6" and travelled a distance of 140 m over a slope with a mean angle of 3" with a mean channel width of about 4 m. Total volume of snow and slush transported by the slide was more than 200 m3 with an estimated mass of 200,000 kg. Estimated velocity of the flow was 5 ms-'. Meteorological conditions preceding the event included heavy cloud cover and clear skies with warm temperatures. Rain fell for about six hours during the day before the event. Mixed rain and snow precipitation continued through the preceding night accompanied by steady high winds. The day of the release was warm with overcast skies and light rain. The snowpack was generally saturated to the surface at the time of the release, and water was flowing over the snow surface in the path of the slushflow. RESUMEUn phCnomene geomorphologique rarement dtcrit, B savoir le fluage d'une masse de neige KEY WORDS: Slushflow Avalanche Snowpack Flood

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Chute experiments on slushflow dynamics

Jaedicke¹,

Kern²,

Gauer³

et al. 2008

Cold Regions Science and Technology

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Slushflows are gravity mass flows consisting of a mixture of snow and water, which exhibit considerable damage potential for endangered areas. Small scale slushflows with a volume of 10-15 m3 were generated in the 30 m long and 2.5 m wide snow chute of the Swiss Federal Institute of Snow and Avalanche Research at Weissfluhjoch, Davos, Switzerland. Velocity profiles, dynamic pressure, basal and normal shear and flow height data were recorded in order to test suitable instruments for slushflow measurements. From the obtained data, the order of magnitude of the drag factor for slushflows interacting with obstacles could be estimated. We give an overview of the experimental setup and discuss experimental problems arising from the specific characteristics of slushflows. First results are presented, which indicate that the drag factor might be considerably higher than the estimates commonly used for dry flowing avalanches. Compared to snow avalanches, shear and normal stresses are generally higher in slushflows. The analysis of shear stress versus normal stress indicates some viscoplastic behavior. The results imply that slushflows have to be considered when choosing design criteria for avalanche protection measures wherever this kind of flows can occur. An increase in both temperature and winter precipitation could lead to more frequent slushflow events implying the need to redesign countermeasures. The results from the chute experiments are discussed with respect to development of numerical models of slushflows and a future adaptation of the optical velocity measurement devices to slushflows.

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Slush-Flow Questionnaire

Abstract: TABLEI.

Cited by 10 publications

References 3 publications

Operational regional slushflow early warning

Operational regional slushflow early warning

A low‐angle slushflow in the Kirgiz Range, Kirgizstan

Chute experiments on slushflow dynamics

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