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| Titel |
Computational snow avalanche simulation in forested terrain |
| VerfasserIn |
M. Teich, J.-T. Fischer, T. Feistl, P. Bebi, M. Christen, A. Grêt-Regamey |
| Medientyp |
Artikel
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| Sprache |
Englisch
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| ISSN |
1561-8633
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| Digitales Dokument |
URL |
| Erschienen |
In: Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences ; 14, no. 8 ; Nr. 14, no. 8 (2014-08-27), S.2233-2248 |
| Datensatznummer |
250118612
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| Publikation (Nr.) |
 copernicus.org/nhess-14-2233-2014.pdf |
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| Zusammenfassung |
| Two-dimensional avalanche simulation software operating in three-dimensional
terrain is widely used for hazard zoning and engineering to predict runout
distances and impact pressures of snow avalanche events. Mountain forests are
an effective biological protection measure against avalanches; however, the
protective capacity of forests to decelerate or even to stop avalanches that
start within forested areas or directly above the treeline is seldom
considered in this context. In particular, runout distances of small- to
medium-scale avalanches are strongly influenced by the structural conditions
of forests in the avalanche path. We present an evaluation and
operationalization of a novel detrainment function implemented in the
avalanche simulation software RAMMS for avalanche simulation in forested
terrain. The new approach accounts for the effect of forests in the avalanche
path by detraining mass, which leads to a deceleration and runout shortening
of avalanches. The relationship is parameterized by the detrainment
coefficient K [kg m−1 s−2] accounting for differing forest
characteristics. We varied K when simulating 40 well-documented small- to
medium-scale avalanches, which were released in and ran through forests of
the Swiss Alps. Analyzing and comparing observed and simulated runout
distances statistically revealed values for K suitable to simulate the
combined influence of four forest characteristics on avalanche runout: forest
type, crown closure, vertical structure and surface cover, for
example, values for K were higher for dense spruce and mixed spruce-beech
forests compared to open larch forests at the upper treeline. Considering
forest structural conditions within avalanche simulations will improve
current applications for avalanche simulation tools in mountain forest and
natural hazard management. |
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