Destructive size definition table
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Definition
Determine the destructive potential of the avalanche(s) resulting from a specific Avalanche Character within a defined location.
| Destructive Size | Avalanche destructive potential (definition) |
Typical mass |
Typical impact pressure |
Typical path length |
| 1 | Relatively harmless to people. | <10 t | 1 kPa | 10 m |
| 2 | Could bury, injure, or kill a person. | 102 t | 10 kPa | 100 m |
| 3 | Could bury and destroy a car, damage a truck, destroy a wood frame house, or break a few trees. | 103 t | 100 kPa | 1000 m |
| 4 | Could destroy a railway car, large truck, several buildings, or a forest area of approximately 4 hectares. | 104 t | 500 kPa | 2000 m |
| 5 | Largest snow avalanche known. Could destroy a village or a forest area of approximately 40 hectares. | 105 t | 1000 kPa | 3000 m |
Source:
Statham, G., Haegeli, P., Birkeland, K. W., Greene, E., Israelson, C., Tremper, B., et al. (2010). A conceptual model of avalanche hazard. Paper presented at the International Snow Science Workshop, Lake Tahoe, CA.
