Artificial Release of Avalanches by Explosives

Abstract The method of the artificial release of slab avalanches by explosives is investigated. The effect of a detonation on a seasonal snow cover is measured and discussed. The attenuation of the resulting stress waves as a function of the type of explosive used, the position of the charge relative to the snow surface, the snow-stratification profile, and the type of ground are determined in field experiments. The effective ranges of shots in potential fracture zones are estimated.