Contribution of Viscous Forces to Avalanche Dynamics

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Abstract
Mini-avalanche systems were constructed both in a low-temperature laboratory and in a snowfield, and the behaviour of the flowing snow was observed in each case. Velocity profiles for the individual snow particles were determined and these implied that a viscous force, which has been neglected in most previous numerical simulations of snow-avalanche motion, needs to be taken into account for many avalanches. Kinematic viscosity coefficients for the fluidized snow were also measured using a modified Stormer-type viscometer. Substituting the dry-friction value and the kinematic viscosity coefficient for fluidized snow into the equation for avalanche motion, numerical simulation of natural events was achieved for the Shiai-dani region. Taking viscous resistance factors into account led to the conclusion that the magnitude of turbulent resistance of snow in avalanche systems is probably much smaller than that represented by the values previously in use.

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