In the Alps, several expert groups from CNRS National Investigation Center, Rural Engineering Center, Aguas y Bosques and CemaAgref are trying to solve the mechanism of avalanches. In order to simulate the avalanche process, CNRS physicists put thousands of beads into miniature artificial avalanche machines. Avalanche machines can tilt. In this way, when the beads slide down, they push against each other, and this process will be photographed by a fast camera. Experts will study how the "avalanche" travels according to the captured images.
In this experiment, the motion of each particle is actually easy to calculate. The problem is that there are thousands of particles, and their interactions cannot be calculated. Nevertheless, the researchers' experiments still provide valuable information for understanding avalanche dynamics. They confirmed that avalanches move like particles, releasing energy irregularly. Although avalanche is composed of solid matter, its motion is not exactly the same as that of gas.
According to Tom Drake, a geologist at the University of North Carolina, the particles forming an avalanche are divided into five layers: the outermost particles are rolled up in the collision of airflow; The particles in the second layer move forward in disorder in the continuous impact; In the next layer, the particles have started to move in an organized way; The fourth layer is composed of particles with small spacing; The bottom particles are closely connected and move the slowest. But Drake thinks: "This can only partially explain the avalanche. There are many factors on the mountain that make the situation more complicated. "
Estimate the possible snow conditions (stability) on the route. Ask people who have been there for information. Be careful if it snows! The new snow increases the weight of the original snow layer and has poor connectivity. In addition, if the temperature rises suddenly, or the sun may shine high, it will also lead to the melting of snow and poor connectivity. You should choose a route without the danger of avalanche. If you have to go, choose cold, cloudy and below freezing weather, and there will be no snowfall for the time being. To climb a mountain in summer, start at dawn and leave the steep snow slope before dawn.
Watch the snow. Including the recent avalanche traces, when the snow under your feet collapses, it will make a "drumming" sound. This drum-like sound indicates that there is a hole under the hard snow layer. Dig down with a shovel and look for the "snowboard" with avalanche tendency-the hard snow layer on top of loose snow.
Consider the snow slope of the line. A 30-degree bowl-shaped avalanche trough, with a large top and a small bottom, is more dangerous than a steep rock pillar. You can only guess the snow here.
If you have no choice but to cross the suspicious snow slope, follow: protect the passage as much as possible. If the snow slope is too wide to be protected, the snow condition should be tested first. First, a solid anchor (such as a tree or stone) is used for protection, and the tester walks to the upper end of the snow slope and jumps to the steep part. Then unlock the protection in a safe place and pass quickly one by one. Walk from a height to reduce the risk of being buried by falling snow from above. Pay attention to each other, and once something happens, you can learn some information about the location of the victims. Also note that it is best not to go to very steep slopes. When the slope is 38 degrees, the avalanche is the worst.