New models improve predictions of snow, rock and ice avalanches

A new 3D simulation tool developed by ETH and SLF researchers now allows for significantly more accurate predictions of complex alpine mass movements, supporting alpine risk management.

A 3D simulation of the collapse of the Blatten glacier, the mass is most powerful in the centre and the mass accumulates mainly in the valley.
ETH Zurich and SLF have developed a new 3D model that accurately captures for example the initiation and runout of the rock-ice avalanche near Blatten – including ice and rock particles hurled into the air by shockwaves.  (Simulation: ETH Zurich / WSL-Institute SLF)
JavaScript has been disabled in your browser