Avalanche character definition table

From InfoEx Help Information
Revision as of 16:23, 29 December 2013 by Pascal (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Character Weak Layer / Interface Slab Property Persistence Weak Layer Location Propagation Potential Relative Size Potential
Loose Dry Various
(no cohesion)
None Hours/days Near the surface Down slope entertainment R1-2
Loose Wet Various
(no cohesion)
None Hours/days Any level Significant down slope entrainment R1-3
Wind Slabs DF, PP 4F-K
wind transported
Hours/days Upper pack Terrain features R1-3
Storm Slabs PP, DF F-P
Soft-stiff
Hours/days In or just below storm snow Path R1-4
Wet Slabs Various 4F-P
Wet grains
Hours/days Midpack to deep Path R1-5 (climax)
Persistent Slabs PWLs such as SH, FC, CR, FC/CR combo 4F-P
Stiff-hard
Weeks/months Upper to midpack Path to adjacent path R2-4
Deep Persistent Slabs PWLs such as DH, FC, CR, FC/CR combo 1F-K
Hard
Weeks/months Deep or basal Path to adjacent paths R3-5 (climax)
Cornice ~ ~ Months with short peaks ~ ~ ~
Comment Typical failure plane Typical kind of slab Typical duration of instability Relative to HS Typical expectation Typical range of size relative to path