Snow avalanche mass-balance calculation and simulation-model verification

Abstract

Two- or three-dimensional avalanche-simulation models offer a wide range of applications; however, a challenging model-verification process is demanded, accompanied by a reliable determination of model-input parameters. We show that a verification process can be arranged with remote-monitoring data from an artificially triggered avalanche, leading to the calculation of avalanche mass balance. Two numerical methods are applied to increase the quality of the parameter fit and to reduce the number of simulations. The quality of the parameter fit is verified by comparing measured and simulated run-out lengths. In addition, a cross-check is performed using velocities derived from Doppler radar measurements.