Avalanche simulation with SAMOS

Sampl, Peter; Zwinger, Thomas

doi:10.3189/172756404781814780

Cited by 113 publications

(104 citation statements)

References 11 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

101

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Both models are in operational use by the Federal Service for Torrent, Erosion and Avalanche Control. A detailed description for the model SAMOS is given by Sailer et al (2002) and Sampl and Zwinger (2004). ELBA+ is an improved version of the model ELBA, which is described in-depth by Volk and Kleemayr (1999).…”

Section: Avalanche Processes and Modellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Avalanche risk assessment – a multi-temporal approach, results from Galtür, Austria

Keiler

Sailer

Jörg

et al. 2006

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Snow avalanches pose a threat to settlements and infrastructure in alpine environments. Due to the catastrophic events in recent years, the public is more aware of this phenomenon. Alpine settlements have always been confronted with natural hazards, but changes in land use and in dealing with avalanche hazards lead to an altering perception of this threat. In this study, a multi-temporal risk assessment is presented for three avalanche tracks in the municipality of Galtür, Austria. Changes in avalanche risk as well as changes in the risk-influencing factors (process behaviour, values at risk (buildings) and vulnerability) between 1950 and 2000 are quantified. An additional focus is put on the interconnection between these factors and their influence on the resulting risk.The avalanche processes were calculated using different simulation models (SAMOS as well as ELBA+). For each avalanche track, different scenarios were calculated according to the development of mitigation measures. The focus of the study was on a multi-temporal risk assessment; consequently the used models could be replaced with other snow avalanche models providing the same functionalities. The monetary values of buildings were estimated using the volume of the buildings and average prices per cubic meter. The changing size of the buildings over time was inferred from construction plans. The vulnerability of the buildings is understood as a degree of loss to a given element within the area affected by natural hazards. A vulnerability function for different construction types of buildings that depends on avalanche pressure was used to assess the degree of loss. No general risk trend could be determined for the studied avalanche tracks. Due to the high complexity of the variCorrespondence to: M. Keiler (margreth.keiler@univie.ac.at) ations in risk, small changes of one of several influencing factors can cause considerable differences in the resulting risk. This multi-temporal approach leads to better understanding of the today's risk by identifying the main changes and the underlying processes. Furthermore, this knowledge can be implemented in strategies for sustainable development in Alpine settlements.

show abstract

Section: Avalanche Processes and Modellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Avalanche risk assessment – a multi-temporal approach, results from Galtür, Austria

Keiler

Sailer

Jörg

et al. 2006

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…To perform dynamic avalanche simulations with state-of-the-art software such as RAMMS (Christen et al, 2010) or SAMOS 25 (Sampl and Zwinger, 2004) an accurate identification of the release areas and the release volumes is mandatory. Prerequisites for triggering a snow slab avalanche can be summarized in three categories: (1) terrain, (2) snow cover specific and (3) meteorological factors (Schweizer et al, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Automated snow avalanche release area delineation – validation of existing algorithms and proposition of a new object-based approach for large scale hazard indication mapping

Bühler¹,

Rickenbach²,

Stoffel³

et al. 2018

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Snow avalanche hazard is threatening people and infrastructure in all alpine regions with seasonal or permanent snow cover around the globe. Coping with this hazard is a big challenge and during the past centuries, different strategies were 10 developed. Today, in Switzerland, experienced avalanche engineers produce hazard maps with a very high reliability based on avalanche cadastre information, terrain analysis, climatological datasets and numerical modelling of the flow dynamics for selected avalanche tracks that might affect settlements. However, for regions outside the considered settlement areas such areawide hazard maps are not available mainly because of the too high cost, in Switzerland and in most mountain regions around the world. Therefore, hazard indication maps, even though they are less reliable and less detailed, are often the only spatial 15 planning tool available. To produce meaningful and cost-effective avalanche hazard indication maps over large regions (regional to national scale), automated release area delineation has to be combined with volume estimations and state-of-theart numerical avalanche simulations.In this paper we validate existing potential release area (PRA) delineation algorithms, published in peer-reviewed journals, 20 that are based on digital terrain models and their derivatives such as slope angle, aspect, roughness and curvature. For validation, we apply avalanche cadastre data from three different ski resorts in the vicinity of Davos, Switzerland, where experienced ski-patrol staff mapped most avalanches in detail since many years. After calculating the best fit input parameters for every tested algorithm, we compare their performance based on the reference datasets. Because all tested algorithms do not provide meaningful delineation between individual potential release areas (PRA), we propose a new algorithm based on object-25 based image analysis (OBIA). In combination with an automatic procedure to estimate the average release depth (d0), defining the avalanche release volume, this algorithm enables the numerical simulation of thousands of avalanches over large regions applying the well-established avalanche dynamics model RAMMS. We demonstrate this for the region of Davos for two hazard scenarios, frequent (10 -30 years return period) and extreme (100 -300 years return period). This approach opens the door for large scale avalanche hazard indication mapping in all regions where high quality and resolution digital terrain models and 30 snow data are available.Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss., https://doi

show abstract

“…In current engineering practice for hazard mapping and planning of long-term mitigation measures, release area size is a key input in numerical models of avalanche dynamics such as RAMMS (Christen et al, 2010) or SAMOS-AT (Sampl and Granig, 2009;Sampl and Zwinger, 2004). They allow the assessment of run-out, velocity, flow height or impact pressure of avalanches, and are especially important when historical data are sparse or completely lacking.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential slab avalanche release area identification from estimated winter terrain: a multi-scale, fuzzy logic approach

Veitinger¹,

Purves

Sovilla³

2016

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Avalanche hazard assessment requires a very precise estimation of the release area, which still depends, to a large extent, on expert judgement of avalanche specialists. Therefore, a new algorithm for automated identification of potential avalanche release areas was developed. It overcomes some of the limitations of previous tools, which are currently not often applied in hazard mitigation practice. By introducing a multi-scale roughness parameter, fine-scale topography and its attenuation under snow influence is captured. This allows the assessment of snow influence on terrain morphology and, consequently, potential release area size and location. The integration of a wind shelter index enables the user to define release area scenarios as a function of the prevailing wind direction or single storm events. A case study illustrates the practical usefulness of this approach for the definition of release area scenarios under varying snow cover and wind conditions. A validation with historical data demonstrated an improved estimation of avalanche release areas. Our method outperforms a slope-based approach, in particular for more frequent avalanches; however, the application of the algorithm as a forecasting tool remains limited, as snowpack stability is not integrated. Future research activity should therefore focus on the coupling of the algorithm with snowpack conditions.

show abstract

Avalanche simulation with SAMOS

Cited by 113 publications

References 11 publications

Avalanche risk assessment – a multi-temporal approach, results from Galtür, Austria

Avalanche risk assessment – a multi-temporal approach, results from Galtür, Austria

Automated snow avalanche release area delineation – validation of existing algorithms and proposition of a new object-based approach for large scale hazard indication mapping

Potential slab avalanche release area identification from estimated winter terrain: a multi-scale, fuzzy logic approach

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About