Abstract
A series of automatic time-lapse cameras installed along the southwestern side of Tasiapik Valley, near the village of Umiujaq, Nunavik (northern Québec) documented several departure modes and types of snow involved in snow avalanches during winter 2017–2018. These included cornice–avalanche dynamics, slab and loose snow avalanches, and clean and dirty snow avalanches. At the top of the selected slope, a camera monitored the development of a snow cornice beginning in November 2017, detecting multiple cornice failures over the winter and spring. The track and deposition area of the runout paths were monitored from two cameras downslope, revealing the concomitance of snow–cornice fall and snow avalanche triggering. Snow avalanche activity remained relatively infrequent until the end of May 2018. Spring snow avalanche activity is characterized by wet and dirty snow avalanches carrying debris to the foot of the slope and by runout zones located near the road along the slope.
Highlights
Snow avalanches are a known hazard for some Inuit communities in Nunavik, as noted by Lied and Domaas (2000) in their report for Québec’s Ministry of Public Security after the deadly avalanche that occurred on 1 January 1999 in Kangiqsualujjuaq
According to Germain (2016), environmental conditions in Nunavik are favourable for snow avalanches; these conditions include strong winds, snowfall, and steep, bare slopes heavily weathered by strong periglacial activity
In situ observation, and meteorological data, this paper aims to examine the occurrence and triggering events of snow avalanches in Tasiapik Valley, in relation to the impact of the prevailing meteorological conditions and topographic parameters on the evolution of snow cover instability
Summary
Snow avalanches are a known hazard for some Inuit communities in Nunavik, as noted by Lied and Domaas (2000) in their report for Québec’s Ministry of Public Security after the deadly avalanche that occurred on 1 January 1999 in Kangiqsualujjuaq. Their investigation focused on the villages of Inukjuak, Ivujivik, Kangiqsualujjuaq, Kangiqsujuaq, Kangirsuk, Quaqtaq, and Salluit, located in glacial valleys where steep slopes are bordering the buildings. The risk for local populations remains poorly acknowledged, as no study has described the occurrence or triggering mechanisms of snow avalanches in this area (Hétu 2001; Germain 2016). In the context of changing climatic and meteorological conditions, it is necessary to document snow avalanches and their impacts
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