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2025 Archive Index - All Editions

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Avalanches: Physics Breakthrough Using X-ray Technology

Landslides, avalanches, and construction safety may all benefit from new granular physics research that confirms a long-standing hypothesis about how particles, such as soil and snow, slip and slide. The findings, reported in a new paper in Nature Communications, were made possible through the use of novel X-ray technology, which allowed a University of Sydney-led team of international researchers to closely examine the motion of snow and soil. This enabled them to discover how intricate swirls and loops affect the movement of these materials.

The researchers built their own dedicated X-ray system, which they named DynamiX. Operating in three directions simultaneously, DynamiX can make real-time observations. “We were determined to understand the fast flow of granular media, but there wasn’t any equipment available on the market, so we decided to build it ourselves,” said Professor Itai Einav, of the University of Sydney.
More ... (The Debrief)

When trees can protect against avalanches

Forests protect against avalanches, but not every protection forest is equally effective. Thanks to almost 50 years of observations at the Stillberg afforestation site, SLF researchers have gained insight into how the avalanche protective function of afforestation changes over time and from which point it effectively prevents avalanches. "Trees only really prevent avalanches once they are at least twice as high as the snowpack," explains Peter Bebi, head of the Mountain Ecosystems research group. Through their work, he and his team are improving the scientific basis for the rules of thumb that are applied in practice.
More ... (myScience)

Richardson highway gets new avalanche weather station

VALDEZ, Alaska – A new weather station was recently installed above one of the main highways in south-central Alaska to protect drivers from avalanches. Known as the Richardson Highway, the road runs north-to-south through Thompson Pass, a 2,800-foot valley just east of Valdez. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities said Thompson Pass is the snowiest place in the state, receiving an average of nearly 46 feet of snow every year. Such heavy snowfall has produced several avalanches on Richardson Highway. Officials have now installed the Three Pigs South Summit Weather Station above the highest-risk avalanche zone on Richardson Highway.
More ... (Yahoo News)