Dry-snow slab avalanches release when a crack in an unstable weak layer within the snowpack reaches a sufficiently large size to propagate. As the formation of cracks is accompanied by acoustic emissions (AE), monitoring AE is a promising method for evaluating the stability of avalanche prone snow slopes. According to the theory of critical phenomena, the amplitude distribution of acoustic signals generated during crack formation changes as the system approaches failure. Such behavior has been observed in other heterogeneous, natural materials such as limestone, wood, or ice.

Available languages: German English

Snow stratigraphy data are an essential building block for avalanche forecasting, i.e. predicting snow instability in both time and space. Such data are usually obtained from manual field observations. However, numerical modeling of the snow cover can greatly improve the spatial and temporal resolution of snow cover information for avalanche forecasting.

Available languages: German English

To apply research results into practice, outcomes have to be user-friendly transformed and simplified. Together with the core training team for avalanche prevention in snow sports we determine main areas in avalanche education to focus on

Available languages: German English

Avalanche control by explosives is an important temporary measure in avalanche protection. We are especially interested in the processes within the snow cover during an explosion and how far from the explosion an avalanche still is likely to be triggered.

Available languages: German English

Glide-snow avalanches represent a serious challenge to avalanche programs protecting roads, towns, ski lifts and other operations. Our goal is to improve our understanding of snow gliding processes. This will be done by investigating glide rates derived from time-lapse photography and seismic monitoring in relation to meteorological and topographical variables.

Available languages: German English

What is concealed beneath the white snow surface? SLF scientists measure the properties of the snowpack in several places in order to investigate its spatial variability and the impact of this variability on snowpack stability. The purpose of this research is to eventually improve the description of local differences in the avalanche bulletin in the future.

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Within the framework of an international research project, the SLF and its German and Austrian partners are using a radar system to conduct a non-destructive investigation of the snowpack from underneath. The goal is to observe the individual layers of the snowpack and their properties and change over time.

Available languages: German English French Italian