Abstract
Abstract. Snow avalanches are a major component of the mountain cryosphere, but little is known about the factors controlling the variability of their deposit volumes. This study investigates the influence of avalanche path morphology on ca. 1500 deposit volumes recorded between 2003 and 2018 in 77 snow avalanche paths of the French Alps. Different statistical techniques show a slight but significant link between deposit volumes and path mean elevation and orientation, with contrasted patterns between winter and spring seasons. The limited and partially non-linear nature of this control may result from the combined influence on the genesis of deposit volumes of mean path activity, climate conditions, and mechanical thresholds determining avalanche release.
Highlights
Snow avalanches are a major component of the mountain cryosphere (Beniston et al, 2018) that often put people, settlements and infrastructures at risk
Despite significant progress over recent years regarding the mechanical behavior of snow in motion and related flow regimes (Köhler et al, 2018), critical aspects of snow avalanche dynamics remain less known, such as the factors controlling deposit volumes
Previous work documented the sedimentological characteristics of snow avalanche deposits (Jomelli and Bertran, 2001; Bartelt et al, 2009)
Summary
Snow avalanches are a major component of the mountain cryosphere (Beniston et al, 2018) that often put people, settlements and infrastructures at risk These gravitational processes result in rapid and complex snow flows (Mc Clung and Gauer, 2018). Despite significant progress over recent years regarding the mechanical behavior of snow in motion and related flow regimes (Köhler et al, 2018), critical aspects of snow avalanche dynamics remain less known, such as the factors controlling deposit volumes. This limited knowledge is surprising as snow avalanche deposit characteristics determine the damage and disturbance to people, buildings, and communication networks (Leone et al, 2014).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
