GIS-based snow avalanche hazard mapping: Bayburt-asagi dere catchment case

Abstract

Aim: The main objective of the study was to carry out GIS based large scale mapping of snow avalanche hazard. Asagi Dere catchment in Bayburt city in Turkey were selected as study area because many settlements in this area have suffered and adversely affected from avalanches. For example, avalanche event of 18thJanuary 1993 caused death of 59 people, injury to 21 people. Methodology: Snow avalanche hazard mapping involved: determining potential snow avalanche release zones; calculation of avalanche extents by 2D snow avalanche simulation software and generating hazard maps by combining previous two steps. Four villages that suffered snow avalanches were also evaluated in terms of avalanche hazard. Results: In total, 3502 release zones, that cover 1992.2 ha (10.3%) of study area were determined. 7269.1 ha that is 37.5% of total area. Interpretation: Hazardous areas in terms of avalanches need to be determined for definition of avalanche hazard situation and for land use planning. To create hazard maps in terms of snow avalanches, the most feasible approach is the use of Geographical Information Systems, combining topographical parameters.