Effects of Climate Change on Avalanche Accidents and Survival

Abstract

Avalanches are major natural hazards in snow-covered mountains, threatening people and infrastructure. With ongoing climate change, the frequency and types of snow avalanches may change, affecting the rates of avalanche burial and survival. With a wetter and warmer snow climate, consequences of burial may become more severe. In this review, we assess the potential effects of climate change on the frequency and characteristics of avalanches. We then discuss how these changes might affect the survival rates of subjects buried by avalanches and might influence the responses of search and rescue (SAR) teams and health care providers. While climate change is inevitable, the effects on avalanches remain elusive. The frequency of human triggered avalanches may not change, because this depends largely on the number and behavior of winter recreationists. Blunt trauma and secondary injuries will likely become more frequent as terrain roughness is expected to rise and snow cover to become thinner. Higher snow densities in avalanche debris will likely interfere with the respiration of completely buried victims. Asphyxia and trauma, as causes of avalanche death, may increase. It is unlikely that SAR and health care providers involved in avalanche rescue will have to change their strategies in areas where they are already established. The effects of climate change might foster the expansion of mitigation strategies and the establishment of mountain rescue services in areas subject to increased avalanche hazards caused by changes in snow cover and land use.

Snow Avalanche Assessment in Mass Movement-Prone Areas: Results from Climate Extremization in Relationship with Environmental Risk Reduction in the Prati di Tivo Area (Gran Sasso Massif, Central Italy)

“…Snow avalanche hazards are computed to be increasing worldwide due to climate changes [128,129]. Among all the climatic contributors, climate extremization is identified…”

“…Snow avalanche hazards are computed to be increasing worldwide due to climate changes [128,129]. Among all the climatic contributors, climate extremization is identified as one of the factors influencing the behavior, irregularity, and frequency of snow avalanches [130,131].…”

On-Site Medical Management of Avalanche Victims—A Narrative Review

“…Trauma accounts for less than 25% of avalanche deaths in North America and Europe [ 10 ]. Traumatic deaths are associated with a wide range of injuries that depend on topographic differences in terrain and snow characteristics [ 6 ]. Avalanche victims can sustain virtually any type of injury during the often turbulent descent in an avalanche; severe injuries are frequently caused by collisions with trees or rocks [ 26 ].…”

“…The ongoing climate change may influence the frequency and change the types of snow avalanches, affecting the grade of avalanche burial, pattern of injuries, and survival rates [ 6 ]. A wetter and warmer snow climate might lead to higher snow densities and this will likely interfere with the respiration of completely buried victims and increase the rate of asphyxia [ 7 ].…”

“…A wetter and warmer snow climate might lead to higher snow densities and this will likely interfere with the respiration of completely buried victims and increase the rate of asphyxia [ 7 ]. Moreover, blunt trauma and secondary injuries will likely become more frequent as terrain roughness is expected to rise and snow cover to become thinner [ 6 ].…”