AVAL-1D: an avalanche dynamics program for the practice

Abstract

Avalanche hazard maps are prepared by engineers and land use planners. These experts rely both on practical experience and calculation models to predict avalanche runout distances and flow velocities. Both dense flow and powder snow avalanche dynamics models are using sophisticated numerical schemes to track the motion of avalanches from initiation to runout. Since avalanche experts are seldom numerical specialists, the software must be stable and user-friendly and model limitations must be clearly communicated. In this paper we present a new avalanche dynamics program called AVAL-lD that meets these requirements. This program is intended to be used by avalanche practitioners to supplement the well-tested Voellmy-Salm model. In the following we discuss the program structure and present an example calculation with the new program.