Comparing topographical and dynamical runout models by ideas of nearest neighbour method

Abstract

Different avalanche runout models are used to compare the calculated results against observations of 230 real avalanches in Norway. The parameters used in the models are investigated and optimized to get the best fit to the observed avalanches. A model has been developed that enables us to compare an avalanche path with the 230 others. The model finds the five best fitted paths compared with the path investigated. A method similar to what is used in avalanche hazard evaluation, the "Nearest Neighbour Method", where the Eulerian differences for a characteristic set of parameters are minimized.