3. Avalanches
An avalanche is the rapid gravitational movement of a mass of snow down a slope, caused by a break in the snowpack. Its main characteristics are the mass of snow mobilized and the speed of propagation. Avalanche triggering depends essentially on :
the slope ;
thickness ;
the mechanical characteristics of the snowpack.
3.1 Snowy coat
Snow cover is formed by the accumulation of snow on the ground. It is a heterogeneous material, made up of a succession of strata corresponding to successive snowfalls, which evolve until they melt
The Ultimate Scientific and Technical Reference
This article is included in
Safety and risk management
This offer includes:
Knowledge Base
Updated and enriched with articles validated by our scientific committees
Services
A set of exclusive tools to complement the resources
Practical Path
Operational and didactic, to guarantee the acquisition of transversal skills
Doc & Quiz
Interactive articles with quizzes, for constructive reading
Avalanches
Regulatory zoning
Bibliography
Websites
• AGS – Australian Geomechanics Society
http://australiangeomechanics.org
• IAEG – International Association for Engineering Geology...
• ISRM – International Society for Rock Mechanics...
Standards
- Avalanche protection equipment – Snow fence – Design specifications - NF P95-305 - Décembre 1992
Regulations
• Articles L. 562-1 to L. 562-9 of the French Environment Code, which set out the framework and methodology for drawing up natural risk prevention plans.
• Article R. 126-1 of the Code de l'Urbanisme (article 404 of law no. 87-565 of July 22, 1987 and article 16-1 of law no. 95-101 of February 2, 1995), which requires the approved PPR to be appended to the PLU or POS, where they exist.
...
The Ultimate Scientific and Technical Reference
