Interesting developments in slush avalanche forecasting from Norway’s Arctic regions. Unlike traditional avalanches, slush flows can occur on gently pitched slopes (below 30 degrees) but due to their density can produce enough force to carry cars, mud and debris hundreds of meters downhill.
“To compare a slush avalanche to a dry snow avalanche, the slush flow has much more mass because it’s water and snow mixed together, and you get a really high speed. So the speed and the mass makes it high energy and then also you get much more damage potential. And also because you have a longer runout because it’s flowing like water, it can go in a flat terrain. It can go long out on the fields or out to the sea.” –Trond Jøran Nilsen
The following video was produced by the European Science Communication Institute (ESCI) whose goal is to empower scientists by helping them communicate and connect with the public to bridge the gap between science and society. Learn more about how researchers and road authorities are working to develop hazard maps and real-time forecasts using field data and cutting-edge simulations to protect roads and save lives.
Related
