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Avalanche research

Avalanche research aims to increase our knowledge of avalanches to reduce society's losses concerning this natural hazard. We collaborate closely with the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), and avalanche research institutes in Switzerland and Austria. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration and the Norwegian National Rail Administration are examples of public agencies collaborating with partners and users of NGI's avalanche research results.

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Avalanche research contributes, among other things, to improving avalanche warning and better securing and planning homes, railway lines, and roads. Many years can pass between major avalanche winters. Still, the avalanche accident in Longyearbyen in December 2015 that moved several houses and the major accident that destroyed the entire Rigopiano hotel in Italy in 2017 remind us that avalanches are still a challenge not only for outdoor enthusiasts but also for social security.

Statistically, two houses or cabins in Norway are damaged or destroyed by avalanches per year. Our aim is that the research should contribute to us being safe in our houses, at work, and when we travel. We are concerned that the research should be applicable, especially for social security and infrastructure.

The avalanche research station in Strynefjellet

Since the 1970s, NGI has run the Fonnbu research station and full-scale experiments for avalanches in Ryggfonn in Strynefjellet. Here we have unique opportunities to observe and study, among other things, speeds and pressures in actual avalanches in relatively controlled forms.

Map of Sunnmøre in Møre and Romsdal, Western Norway (top left) and locations for Fonnbu and Ryggfonn in Strynefjellet (red arrow)

The results enable us to study and learn more about how far avalanches travel, what forces are at play, and, in particular, how avalanches behave and what forces are involved when avalanches hit a power mast, a power line, a car, or an embankment.

These results have been significant for hazard zone mapping and the design and engineering of protection against avalanches.

Fonnbu, on the left, and Ryggfonn seen from the air, with avalanches approaching the 15-meter high embankment at the bottom of the avalanche path

International Cooperation

Our full-scale test field at Ryggfonn is unique worldwide. It provides opportunities to study trigger factors, avalanche dynamics, and the effects of the catching dam in the avalanche channel's run-out area.

The test field has provided many significant results, which are presented in international publications and conferences.

Collaboration with researchers from other countries, and especially with the SLF, which has a test field in Vallée de la Sionne in Switzerland, has contributed to vital exchanges of ideas and data, ensuring that the development of avalanche models can take into account the results from multiple avalanche paths with different climatic conditions.

Local knowledge and experience

To assess the causal relationship and degree of avalanche risk, experts must procure information on snow cover, terrain formation (topography), and meteorological conditions in the relevant area, historically and in future forecasts. The structure and variation of the snow cover are observed and classified following standardized tests. Much work is done at Fonnbu, NGI's avalanche station in Strynefjellet, near Ryggfonn.

Observations of innumerable avalanches over the years, studies of the relationships between snow cover structure, meteorological data, and types of terrain form the basis of NGI's development of methods, and not least, experience in assessing avalanche risk, the run-out distance of potential avalanches and the design of avalanche safety methods.

An announcement from the Norwegian Parliament in 1972 declared that NGI should research avalanches. One of the reasons why it was decided to allocate public funds to avalanche research was several significant and tragic avalanche incidents in the late 1960s and 1970s.

Avalanche at Rise, Sæbø in Ørsta in February 1968

Since 1972, NGI has carried out research and competence-building related to avalanches. NGI receives funds for avalanche research from the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy via the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), responsible for slides and avalanches in Norway.

The annual public grant for NGI's avalanche research has varied over the years and received a significant increase from three to four million kroner annually in 2019.
The results from the avalanche research are reported annually to NVE and the Research Council of Norway.

Large and tragic avalanche events

Significant and tragic avalanche events in the late 1960s and early 1970s brought great public attention to improving knowledge about avalanches, including preparedness, warning, and protection measures.

The accidental avalanche at Rise near Sæbø in Ørsta in February 1968, the Molaupen avalanche on 9 January 1970, and the avalanche against the Mauranger plants on 24 November 1971 are examples of such. This was one of the reasons why it was decided to allocate public funds to avalanche research.

Articles and reports

* AARN = Applied Avalanche Research in Norway

MSc thesis

Handbook on avalanches

Håndbok om Snøskred, Lied, K. og Kristensen, K., 2003. Forlaget Vett og Viten, Nesbru, Norway, pp. 200, (In Norwegian).
 
Questions regarding publications can be directed to knowledgemanagement@ngi.no

 

  • Avalanche research contributes, among other things, to improving avalanche warning and better securing and planning homes, railway lines, and roads. Many years can pass between major avalanche winters. Still, the avalanche accident in Longyearbyen in December 2015 that moved several houses and the major accident that destroyed the entire Rigopiano hotel in Italy in 2017 remind us that avalanches are still a challenge not only for outdoor enthusiasts but also for social security.

    Statistically, two houses or cabins in Norway are damaged or destroyed by avalanches per year. Our aim is that the research should contribute to us being safe in our houses, at work, and when we travel. We are concerned that the research should be applicable, especially for social security and infrastructure.

  • The avalanche research station in Strynefjellet

    Since the 1970s, NGI has run the Fonnbu research station and full-scale experiments for avalanches in Ryggfonn in Strynefjellet. Here we have unique opportunities to observe and study, among other things, speeds and pressures in actual avalanches in relatively controlled forms.

    Map of Sunnmøre in Møre and Romsdal, Western Norway (top left) and locations for Fonnbu and Ryggfonn in Strynefjellet (red arrow)

    The results enable us to study and learn more about how far avalanches travel, what forces are at play, and, in particular, how avalanches behave and what forces are involved when avalanches hit a power mast, a power line, a car, or an embankment.

    These results have been significant for hazard zone mapping and the design and engineering of protection against avalanches.

    Fonnbu, on the left, and Ryggfonn seen from the air, with avalanches approaching the 15-meter high embankment at the bottom of the avalanche path

    International Cooperation

    Our full-scale test field at Ryggfonn is unique worldwide. It provides opportunities to study trigger factors, avalanche dynamics, and the effects of the catching dam in the avalanche channel's run-out area.

    The test field has provided many significant results, which are presented in international publications and conferences.

    Collaboration with researchers from other countries, and especially with the SLF, which has a test field in Vallée de la Sionne in Switzerland, has contributed to vital exchanges of ideas and data, ensuring that the development of avalanche models can take into account the results from multiple avalanche paths with different climatic conditions.

    Local knowledge and experience

    To assess the causal relationship and degree of avalanche risk, experts must procure information on snow cover, terrain formation (topography), and meteorological conditions in the relevant area, historically and in future forecasts. The structure and variation of the snow cover are observed and classified following standardized tests. Much work is done at Fonnbu, NGI's avalanche station in Strynefjellet, near Ryggfonn.

    Observations of innumerable avalanches over the years, studies of the relationships between snow cover structure, meteorological data, and types of terrain form the basis of NGI's development of methods, and not least, experience in assessing avalanche risk, the run-out distance of potential avalanches and the design of avalanche safety methods.

  • An announcement from the Norwegian Parliament in 1972 declared that NGI should research avalanches. One of the reasons why it was decided to allocate public funds to avalanche research was several significant and tragic avalanche incidents in the late 1960s and 1970s.

    Avalanche at Rise, Sæbø in Ørsta in February 1968

    Since 1972, NGI has carried out research and competence-building related to avalanches. NGI receives funds for avalanche research from the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy via the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), responsible for slides and avalanches in Norway.

    The annual public grant for NGI's avalanche research has varied over the years and received a significant increase from three to four million kroner annually in 2019.
    The results from the avalanche research are reported annually to NVE and the Research Council of Norway.

    Large and tragic avalanche events

    Significant and tragic avalanche events in the late 1960s and early 1970s brought great public attention to improving knowledge about avalanches, including preparedness, warning, and protection measures.

    The accidental avalanche at Rise near Sæbø in Ørsta in February 1968, the Molaupen avalanche on 9 January 1970, and the avalanche against the Mauranger plants on 24 November 1971 are examples of such. This was one of the reasons why it was decided to allocate public funds to avalanche research.

  • Articles and reports

    * AARN = Applied Avalanche Research in Norway

    MSc thesis

    Handbook on avalanches

    Håndbok om Snøskred, Lied, K. og Kristensen, K., 2003. Forlaget Vett og Viten, Nesbru, Norway, pp. 200, (In Norwegian).
     
    Questions regarding publications can be directed to knowledgemanagement@ngi.no

     

Portrait of Heidi Hefre

Heidi Hefre

Head of Section Snow and Rock Hazards heidi.hefre@ngi.no
 +47 413 10 535
Portrait of Kjersti Gisnås

Kjersti Gisnås

Senior adviser Snow and Rock Hazards kjersti.gisnas@ngi.no
 +47 924 53 018