The mechanism of delayed release in earthquake-induced avalanches
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Date
2019-07
Publication Type
Journal Article
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yes
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Abstract
Snow avalanches can be triggered by strong earthquakes. Most existing models assume that snow slab avalanches happen simultaneously during or immediately after their triggering. Therefore, they cannot explain the plausibility of delayed avalanches that are released minutes to hours after a quake. This paper establishes the basic mechanism of delays in earthquake-induced avalanche release using a novel analytical model that yields dynamics consistent with three documented cases, including two from Western Himalaya and one from central Italy. The mechanism arises from the interplay between creep, strain softening and strain-rate sensitivity of snow, which drive the growth of a basal shear fracture. Our model demonstrates that earthquake-triggered delayed avalanches are rare, yet possible, and could lead to significant damage, especially in long milder slopes. The generality of the model formulation opens a new approach for exploring many other problems related to natural slab avalanche release.
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published
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Volume
475 (2227)
Pages / Article No.
20190092
Publisher
Royal Society
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Date collected
Date created
Subject
earthquakes; snow avalanches; rate-dependent processes
Organisational unit
03691 - Puzrin, Alexander / Puzrin, Alexander
02607 - Institut für Geotechnik / Institute for Geotechnical Engineering
Notes
Funding
168998 - Dynamic evolution of submarine landslides (SNF)