Comparison of avalanche front velocity measurements: Supplementary energy considerations

Abstract

A series of front velocity measurements were re-analyzed to derive estimates on the mean retarding acceleration of dry-mixed avalanches (i.e. dry-snow avalanches, which were partially fluidized and accompanied by a powder cloud) using energy considerations. The obtained estimates correspond well with those derived from around 320 solely runout observations. Based on these results it seems questionable whether classical avalanche models are adequate as basis for more physically-based ones.