Snow Avalanche Hazards and Mitigation in the United StatesThe present mortality as a result of snow avalanches exceeds the average mortality caused by earthquakes as well as all other forms of slope failure combined. Snow avalanches can range from small amounts of loose snow moving rapidly down a slope to slab avalanches, in which large chunks of snow break off and destroy everything in their path. Although considered a hazard in the United States since the westward expansion in the nineteenth century, in modern times snow avalanches are an increasing concern in recreational mountainous areas. However, programs for snow avalanche hazard mitigation in other countries are far ahead of those in the United States. The book identifies several steps that should be taken by the United States in order to establish guidelines for research, technology transfer, and avalanche legislation and zoning. |
Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | 1 |
THE AVALANCHE PHENOMENON | 9 |
AVALANCHE MANAGEMENT POLICY IN THE UNITED STATES | 20 |
Copyright | |
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Abromeit Alaska Avalanche Alpine Armstrong artillery Association of Hydrological avalanche accidents avalanche control avalanche events avalanche hazard Avalanche Information Center avalanche management avalanche mitigation avalanche paths avalanche problems avalanche research Avalanche Review avalanche studies backcountry blue zone Brugnot building California Colorado Avalanche Colorado Avalanche Information costs damage debris Engineering explosive federal agencies Fort Collins Frutiger funding Geotechnical Glaciology Gubler hazard maps highways Hydrological Sciences Publications Institute International Association International Snow Science LaChapelle land land-use landslide McClung Mears mechanism modeling National Avalanche National Research Council National Ski Patrol natural hazard Norway operational avalanche Penniman Perla personal communication potential regional require responsibility ski areas slope failure Snow and Avalanche snow avalanches snow cover Snow Science Workshop snowpack specific structures terrain U.S. Army U.S. Department U.S. Forest Service U.S. Geological Survey United University USFS Utah Voight Washington weapons weather written communication