A study on the size of snow particles in powder-snow avalanches

Abstract

In this work, we study the size of the particles involved in a powder-snow avalanche. To determine this value, we study all the phenomena encountered by the particles before they arrive in the "body" of the avalanche. We study the boundary layer which is at the bottom of the avalanche. We determine, with the help of experimental data, the range of sizes of particles that can be entrained by the avalanche. We then examine the possibility of these particles reaching the top of the boundary layer and thus taking part in the avalanche. Our final result is that the typical size of particles suspended in a powder-snow avalanche is <200 μm.