Abstract
Observations of runout distances combined with velocity measurements suggest that “major” dry-mixed avalanches show a scale invariance to the total drop height HSC. This is in accordance to the proposed upper-limit envelope of the maximum velocity by McClung and Schaerer (2006). The observations are also supported by a simple scaling analysis using a simple mass block model on cycloidal and parabolic tracks (Gauer, 2018b), concluding Umax~gHSC/2. In this supplementary paper, a simple mass block model is presented that includes basic observations of major dry-mixed avalanches, such as mass entrainment and deposition, and that reflects this scale invariance. Almost all model parameters can principally be observed in the field. Model results are compared with a series of avalanche observations of runout and velocity and match well, considering that the model is a first order approximation.
Highlights
Snow avalanches are severe threats to the population and their in frastructure in many snow covered areas, typically in mountainous regions, and in regions that have only small relief (< 100 m) (e.g. Issler et al, 2016; Hetu et al, 2011)
Comparing the results with runout observations and velocity measurements suggested that the maximum velocity scales as Umax ~ gHSC/2 and that the mean retarding acceleration dependence on the mean slope angle
A simple mass block model is presented that combines a series of recent avalanche observations and measurements and reflects the observed scaling behavior
Summary
Snow avalanches are severe threats to the population and their in frastructure in many snow covered areas, typically in mountainous regions, and in regions that have only small relief (< 100 m) (e.g. Issler et al, 2016; Hetu et al, 2011). In (Gauer, 2018b), the author tried to derive the principle scaling behavior of major (dry-mixed) avalanches by considering the be havior of a mass block along cycloidal and parabolic tracks. The author did not specify the form of the retarding acceleration in more de tail In this supplementary paper, a simple mass block model is presented that combines a series of recent avalanche observations and measurements and reflects the observed scaling behavior. We focus mainly on dense or fluidized dry-mixed avalanches but disregard the accompanying powder (suspension) part. This distinction is not always done in field observations, which can cause some uncertainty in their interpretation
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