Wind Slab Avalanches

Approximate estimates of fracture speeds for dry slab avalanches

[1] Dry slab avalanches release by propagating shear fractures. It has been suggested that slab wave or fracture speed on horizontal terrain is consistent with the propagation of a flexural wave in the slab. In this note, an alternate proposal is made. Namely, it is proposed that the fracture speed is consistent with dynamic crack propagation speeds from other materials. The theory is compared ...

Size effect law and fracture mechanics of the triggering of dry snow slab avalanches

[1] A size effect law for fracture triggering in dry snow slabs of high enough length-tothickness ratio is formulated, based on simplified one-dimensional analysis by equivalent linear elastic fracture mechanics. Viscoelastic effects during fracture are neglected. The derived law, which is analogous to Bažant’s energetic size effect law developed for concrete and later for sea ice, fiber compos...

Snow Avalanches, Ice Avalanches and Glacier Surges

Neuronal Avalanches

It has recently been suggested that, in order to provide the richness of behavior which is seen empirically, the brain must operate in a critical regime between a phase of order and disorder [1]. In particular, such critical behavior is exhibited in what is termed neuronal avalanches. These cascades of synaptic activity have been seen both in vitro and in vivo [6]. Several models have been put ...

Mechanics of snow avalanches

The main problems of mechanics of snow avalanches are those of: (1) predicting avalanches, (2) avalanche motion, (3) the action of an avalanche upon obstacles, (4) the air wave, (5) the slow moving snow cover and its interaction with protective constructions and (6) the problem of artificial release of avalanches. This paper surveys the modern state of scientific knowledge about the nature of p...