H a z a r d

M a n a g e m e n t

a n d

P u b l i c

Wa r n i n g

ranging from about 12 per community to 33.skidoos, mobile telephonesand/or VHF radios. All stations
In addition, the data collected about snow depth in thewill be equipped with computers and will soon be linked
starting zones will serve as valuable information in futurewith the IMO via the Internet.
when defense structures will be designed forthe respec-They aresupplied withthe necessaryclothing andother
tive avalanche paths.mountainequipment.Previously allthishadtobesup-
Themonitoringofthesnowdepth willbedonebyaplied by the observerhimself.
theodolite from a fixed location e.g.a room in a building
with a good overview of the paths. A fixed referencemark
is laid out so it is possible to sight onto a stake even when^{OVERVIEW OF THE NEED FOR AVALANCHE}
visibilityisbadand itwouldbevirtuallyimpossibleto^{DEFENSES IN ICELAND.}
locate the stake by searching forit.This isa well known^{During this past summera report was compiled that out-}
method used in the artificialrelease of avalanches using^{lined the need for snow avalanche protectionfor the main}
artillery.^{avalanche communities.Thiswasdonein collaboration}
withtheSwiss FederalInstituteofSnow Avalanche Re-

AUTOMATIC WEATHER STATIONS.^{searchin Davos SFISAR, and the Norwegian Geotechnical}
Institute,NGI.
Threeyears ago theIMO was operating4 automatic weatherThis report gives an overview of the needforavalanche
stations of which 2 were specificallyset to be used to assistdefense structures in Icelandand suggests a possible solu-
inavalanche forecasting.We had access toadditional8tion for the individualcommunities. An attempt is made to
stations.Now the office has access to data from 38 stationmake a preliminary prioritization for the country as awhole
of which 8 aredesignatedas snow avalanchestations. Plansand an estimate of the cost is also compiled. It is estimated
are to install automatic weatherstations near the startingthatitwillcost ontheorderof8to10billionIcelandic
zonesaboveallavalanchepronecommunities.Allkronarsor,120to150millionUS$,tobuilddefense
automatic lowland stations within those communities willstructures for. It is expectedthat it will take tens of years to
have automaticprecipitationgaugesandmountainstationscomplete an avalanchedefensestructure program.
will have sonic snow depth sensors.It must be emphasized that this overview only included
The station network is linked to the IMO headquarterstowns and villages that are considered at risk due to snow
and data is collected every hour and more frequently dur-avalanches.Noattemptwasmadetoinclude roadsthat
ing avalanchecycles.are threatened byavalanches.We have several road clo-
sures each winter due to avalanches and there are several
SNOW OBSERVERS.^{avalancheaccidentsrecordedon those roads. Neither were}
Previously,snow observers were in effect employed on a^{individualfarms aroundthecountry evaluatedandwe have}
voluntary basis, i.e. their salary was so pitiful that only the^{manyatriskthroughoutthe country. Skiareas werenot}
mostkeen people remained in the post.^{included either, although obviously they are at risk.}
Withthe changein thegovernment regulationsit is now
possible to employ people so they can maintain a living by^{OTHER RESEARCHPROJECTS}
becoming a snow observer, at least over thewinter months.Otherprogramshavebeen initiatedtoimprovetheava-
ThiswillhopefullyattractwellqualifiedpeopleandlanchesituationinIceland.Onesuchprojectisapilot
encouragethem to remain in the position for several years.project to test retaining structures and obtain the relevant
Their job description includes regular weather observa-design parameters forthe installation ofsuch structures.
tions, evaluation of snow accumulation, diggingsnow pitsThesnowconditionsinIceland are quitedifferent from
atregularintervalsandmoreoftendur ingtimesofthose in the Alps and most otherareas where these struc-
impendingavalanchedanger.Theywillevaluateeachtures are predominantly used.Thisis due in part bythe
avalanche path withpossibleavalanches inmind.Theyfact that our climate is maritime and the starting zones are
will record in detail the avalanches that occur and try andon the order of 400 to 1000 m a.s.l. Thus our snow is quite
gatherasmuchdata aspossibleonthevariousaspects,dense,ranging frommaybe400to650kgperm³giving
such as the extent, size,snow stratigraphy in the startingrise to considerable forces on the structures.On the other
zone,characteristicsofthedebrisetc.Theywillkeepaside, becauseof the lackof vegetationandthe rough terrain,
record ofalltheirobservationsinthevariouslogbookswe expect snow glide to be very small. Thus a close moni-
and computersoftware, e.g. Snowpro and the IMO snowtoring will be maintained on the structure, snow pressure
avalanche database.forces measuredandthe strainon thestructuresmonitored.
TheywillalsoberesponsibleforgatheringhistoricalSnow glideandsnow creepwillbe measured, regular snow
data on past avalanchesand take part in writing a detailedpits dug and snow depth monitored.It is the hope of the
report on the local avalanche history.IMOthatthiswillprovidedesign parametersforfuture
Alsotheywillbe responsibleforthemaintainance ofinstallations here in Iceland.
all their equipment and other equipment of the IMO in theA snow stratigraphy radar will be installed at one site
area. They will monitorthe various experiments that thethiswintertomonitorthesnowaccumulationand
IMO will conduct now and in the future such as glide andstratigraphy. If this experiment is successful we might in-
snow depth experiments.stall more radar in some of the most dangerous avalanche
A majorimprovement has taken place in their equipmentpaths.It will provide us with a continuous record of the
andinstrumentation.Allarenowsuppliedwithsnowsnowaccumulationandstratigraphyirrespectiveof

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