AG-346 Snow and Avalanche Dynamics (10 ECTS)

Grade:	Letter grade (A through F)
Course Cost:	Field excursion NOK 400 (2 days x NOK 200 per overnight stay)
Course Capacity Min/Max:	10/20 students
Language of instruction:	English
Examination support material:	Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue

How to apply

Andy Hodson

Professor, Glaciology

andrewh@unis.no

Course requirements

Enrollment in a relevant master programme. Preference will be given to students that have a background in snow and avalanche science and/or those who are working on a master thesis in snow and avalanche science.

Academic content

This course focuses on developing a theoretical and practical framework for observing, understanding, and mitigating hazards associated with snow avalanche processes in Svalbard and also snow-covered alpine areas. We will consider how physical processes control the development and metamorphosis of seasonal snow covers across a range of temporal and spatial scales and its influence on avalanche hazards. We put a particular emphasis on Svalbard’s unique high Arctic setting. Key theoretical components of this course include:

• the physical properties of seasonal snow cover and its accumulation, redistribution, and metamorphism in Svalbard
• climatological, meteorological, and topographical controls on snow and avalanche formation
• release theory and mechanics
• basics on avalanche dynamics

From this scientific framework, this course also emphasizes developing a practical and applied understanding of avalanche hazard mitigation strategies, including avalanche hazard mapping, run-out modeling, structural avalanche defense design and implementation, and avalanche forecasting.

This course has a specific focus on developing the skills necessary for safe, efficient, and robust snow and avalanche data collection in harsh winter conditions. Field activities will emphasize the collection of manual snow and avalanche observations to professional international standards and will introduce various modern remote sensing tools, data products, and verification strategies.

Learning activities

The course extends over ca 5 weeks including compulsory safety training.

The course will have a theoretical component with class-based lectures and seminars and a practical component comprised of excursions, fieldwork, and computer-based exercises. Excursions and fieldwork will emphasize understanding the regional snow and avalanche setting in the mountains around Longyearbyen and developing skills to observe snow and avalanche processes. The fieldwork and excursions will be subject to change based on snow, avalanche, and weather conditions. Ability to travel via skis or snowboard in mountainous terrain is beneficial for most field excursions.

Compulsory learning activities

All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.

• Fieldwork
• Field excursions
• Field and laboratory exercises
• Scientific paper presentations

Assessment

All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.

Each assessment is graded and subsequently combined into a single grade. Partial grades for each assessment will be available.

Student life