MoT-PSA: a two-layer depth-averaged model for simulation of powder snow avalanches on 3-D terrain
For snow-avalanche hazard mapping, one needs efficient tools that nevertheless capture the essential physical processes. The code MoT-PSA (Method of Transport – Powder Snow Avalanche) described here is based on the two-layer depth-averaged formulation for mixed snow avalanches developed by Eglit and...
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| Format: | Article |
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Cambridge University Press
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Annals of Glaciology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0260305524000107/type/journal_article |
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| author | Hervé Vicari Dieter Issler |
| author_facet | Hervé Vicari Dieter Issler |
| author_sort | Hervé Vicari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | For snow-avalanche hazard mapping, one needs efficient tools that nevertheless capture the essential physical processes. The code MoT-PSA (Method of Transport – Powder Snow Avalanche) described here is based on the two-layer depth-averaged formulation for mixed snow avalanches developed by Eglit and co-workers in the 1980s but is extended to 3-D terrain and uses a fast numerical scheme based on the method of transport. Compared to previous works, we introduce novel formulations for the suspension and deposition of snow from the dense core. Snow cover and air entrainment are quantified with physics-based models. A sensitivity study of the model parameters on an idealized topography shows that both the dense core and the parameters of the powder snow cloud (PSC) governing particle suspension and settling significantly affect the dynamics. As expected, we observe that snow cover entrainment favours the formation of large PSCs with long runout. The powder-snow avalanche that occurred in Lom (Norway) on 27 February 2020 is back-calculated using MoT-PSA. With plausible parameter values, the model reproduces the dense core stopping at the gully's base and the dilute PSC travelling across the frozen lake for almost 1 km. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e940dbf6185441cbbdb2b37aa117fcaf |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 0260-3055 1727-5644 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Annals of Glaciology |
| spelling | doaj-art-e940dbf6185441cbbdb2b37aa117fcaf2025-08-20T02:15:46ZengCambridge University PressAnnals of Glaciology0260-30551727-56442025-01-016510.1017/aog.2024.10MoT-PSA: a two-layer depth-averaged model for simulation of powder snow avalanches on 3-D terrainHervé Vicari0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5970-7359Dieter Issler1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2151-2331Natural Hazards Division, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, P.O. Box 3930 Ullevål Stadion, 0806 Oslo, Norway WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, CH-7260 Davos Dorf, Switzerland Climate Change, Extremes, and Natural Hazards in Alpine Regions Research Center CERC, CH-7260 Davos Dorf, SwitzerlandNatural Hazards Division, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, P.O. Box 3930 Ullevål Stadion, 0806 Oslo, NorwayFor snow-avalanche hazard mapping, one needs efficient tools that nevertheless capture the essential physical processes. The code MoT-PSA (Method of Transport – Powder Snow Avalanche) described here is based on the two-layer depth-averaged formulation for mixed snow avalanches developed by Eglit and co-workers in the 1980s but is extended to 3-D terrain and uses a fast numerical scheme based on the method of transport. Compared to previous works, we introduce novel formulations for the suspension and deposition of snow from the dense core. Snow cover and air entrainment are quantified with physics-based models. A sensitivity study of the model parameters on an idealized topography shows that both the dense core and the parameters of the powder snow cloud (PSC) governing particle suspension and settling significantly affect the dynamics. As expected, we observe that snow cover entrainment favours the formation of large PSCs with long runout. The powder-snow avalanche that occurred in Lom (Norway) on 27 February 2020 is back-calculated using MoT-PSA. With plausible parameter values, the model reproduces the dense core stopping at the gully's base and the dilute PSC travelling across the frozen lake for almost 1 km.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0260305524000107/type/journal_articledepositiondepth-averaged numerical modellingentrainmenthazard mappingimpact pressuremixed snow avalanchesuspension layertwo layers |
| spellingShingle | Hervé Vicari Dieter Issler MoT-PSA: a two-layer depth-averaged model for simulation of powder snow avalanches on 3-D terrain Annals of Glaciology deposition depth-averaged numerical modelling entrainment hazard mapping impact pressure mixed snow avalanche suspension layer two layers |
| title | MoT-PSA: a two-layer depth-averaged model for simulation of powder snow avalanches on 3-D terrain |
| title_full | MoT-PSA: a two-layer depth-averaged model for simulation of powder snow avalanches on 3-D terrain |
| title_fullStr | MoT-PSA: a two-layer depth-averaged model for simulation of powder snow avalanches on 3-D terrain |
| title_full_unstemmed | MoT-PSA: a two-layer depth-averaged model for simulation of powder snow avalanches on 3-D terrain |
| title_short | MoT-PSA: a two-layer depth-averaged model for simulation of powder snow avalanches on 3-D terrain |
| title_sort | mot psa a two layer depth averaged model for simulation of powder snow avalanches on 3 d terrain |
| topic | deposition depth-averaged numerical modelling entrainment hazard mapping impact pressure mixed snow avalanche suspension layer two layers |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0260305524000107/type/journal_article |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hervevicari motpsaatwolayerdepthaveragedmodelforsimulationofpowdersnowavalancheson3dterrain AT dieterissler motpsaatwolayerdepthaveragedmodelforsimulationofpowdersnowavalancheson3dterrain |