Snow avalanches

ABSTRACT

For alpine countries, avalanches represent one of the major hazards, threatening people on villages as well as on highways and railways. Measures have to be taken to reduce the avalanche risk. Avalanche hazard mapping, as a basis for land use planning, and avalanche warning are the most cost - effective measures to reduce or even avoid avalanche exposure. Long - term technical measures, such as supporting structures, deflecting dams and afforestations, or short - term measures, such as avalanche forecasting, artificial avalanche release of evacuation, might be chosen to reduce the avalanche risk to an acceptable level. It is important to evaluate the different measures within the framework of an overall risk management procedure. (AU)