Question

case study on avalanche (3 pages)

Answer 1

study: Galtür Austria



Galtür destruction

Galtür is a popular ski resort in Austria. Avalanches happen most years, but don’t usually reach the village of Galtür. On 23 February 1999 an avalanche raced down the mountain.

It travelled at 200 miles per hour, taking 50 seconds to reach the village. 31 people died, 26 were tourists and 5 were locals. Rescuers saved 26 people in the following 24 hours.



People in Galtür were stranded as roads were blocked. 16 buildings were destroyed or severely damaged.

Ski resorts were closed in the region, costing the industry £5 million for each day they were closed.

Management of avalanches



The areas in which avalanches occur may also be used for human activities, such as skiing. Villages and towns are also often located in the valleys. It is important for the people, economy, and the environment that avalanches are managed.

There are several ways in which avalanches can be managed:

Prediction

People try to predict when avalanches are going to occur. The Alps has an 'avalanche season' between January and March when most avalanches happen. Where avalanches are going to occur is hard to predict. Historical data, weather information and information about the actual snow on the mountainside is collected together to try and forecast the likelihood of an avalanche.

Explosions

Avalanches can be started deliberately in order to prevent the snow building up. This is one of the most important ways of preventing avalanches.

Communication

Signs of the risk of avalanches can be displayed in villages and also by the ski lifts. In the Alps the risk is assessed on a five-point scale. Areas can be sealed off which are considered too dangerous to ski on. Early warning systems are also used.



Land-use zoning

Land can be grouped into red, yellow and green areas. The red areas are considered too dangerous to be built on. The orange areas can be built on with restrictions, such as reinforcing buildings. Roads and railways can be protected by tunnels over them in the areas where an avalanche path is likely to travel.

Snow fences and barriers

These can be used to divert and break up the path of the avalanche.

Reforestation

Trees can be planted, increasing stability of the slope and helping to reduce the damage further down the valley.