The avalanche at Flateyri, Iceland October 26th 1995 and the avalanche history

Abstract

An avalanche struck the village Flateyri on 26.10.1995 killing 20 people. There was also an enormous property damage. The avalanche went further than previously known for avalanches from Skollahvilft. The weather conditions are discussed using weather maps, data from nearby weather stations, and descriptions by the inhabitants. An attempt is made to evaluate the volume of deposits from the avalanche as well as the mass. Furthermore some speculations are made on the snow depth in the starting zone and there is a short discussion about the return period of avalanches from Skollahvilft. The revised avalanche history of Flateyri is also discussed.