Snow avalanche terrain of the Craigieburn Range, Central Canterbury, New Zealand

Abstract

Abstract An analysis of snow avalanche terrain has shown that a strong relationship exists between avalanche terrain, avalanche formation processes, and avalanche occurrence for the Craigieburn Range, New Zealand. Critical terrain factors for avalanche formation in the Craigieburn Range are open bowl-shaped slopes and open slopes in excess of 30° lying in the lee of ridges. Two types of avalanche path occur within the Craigiebum Range. The large concave paths resemble those described for Northern Hemisphere snow avalanche terrain. In contrast the short, steep rectilinear avalanche paths resemble talus slopes. The avalanche terrain of the Craigieburn Range generally reflects the effect of postglacial fluvial and mass-movement processes on highly fractured greywacke in an area of former cirque, and valley, glaciation. As most of the present skifield development occurs within avalanche terrain, careful consideration must be given to this and future development in the Craigiebum Range.