Type of course

Obligatory prerequisites

Course content

This course will introduce students to the basic science of snow science, and snow avalanches. It will introduce them to the field skills needed to collect snow observations, conduct snow tests, identify avalanche terrain, and understand the principals of avalanche forecasting. This foundational snow science and avalanche course will serve to provide students with a solid foundation in snow science and avalanches, and also provide the necessary background needed for entry into an advanced course "GEO-3139 Snow Avalanche science and management".

Students will learn how to safely and successfully collect reliable, and repeatable observations in the snow. This includes building familiarity with both safety and science equipment, and refining travel techniques to be efficient and safe in this environment. Students will connect lecture and reading material with field-based test of the snowpack, starting with basic stratigraphy descriptions, and extending into temperature and moisture measurements, and snow pit tests. They will also learn about the basics of avalanche terrain, avalanche release and mitigation. This will be achieved through a series of sequential, and progressively more involved field exercises that build on the progression of knowledge and skills over an intensive, mostly residential, two-week period.

Recommended prerequisites

Objectives of the course

Knowledge

The student has:

• An understanding of how the physical and thermal properties of snow arise through a combination of weather and metamorphic processes
• Knowledge of snow structure and recording protocols in the field
• Knowledge of snow pit stability test, their scientific foundations and interpretation of their results
• Knowledge of the spatial and temporal variability in snowpack properties
• Knowledge of avalanche triggering and movement, and terrain based avoidance.
• An understanding of avalanche terrain, and personal to small group mitigation
• An understanding of the critical role snow plays in natural systems with a focus on hazards
• Knowledge of how snow avalanche warning systems function and where relevant real-time information can be obtained
• An ability to find relevant snow information and be able to critically evaluate scientific papers related to snow.

Skills

The student can

• Collect and record data and interpret the properties of the snowpack, including specific properties such as hardness, temperature, moisture, crystal morphology.
• Analyse and interpret snow cover data provide by others
• Conduct multiple snow pit stability tests, be able to record and communicate the results, and understand their use and limitations
• Identify avalanche terrain and outline hazard avoidance options for small groups
• Recognise different types of snow avalanches and their basic triggering mechanisms
• Identify potential weak layers in the snowpack and communicate their impact on snow stability.
• Find and interpret local forecasting systems and snow pack assessment data to determine physical safety in the mountains
• Quantify snow water equivalent from a point to catchment scale

General competence

The student can

• Collect and record repeatable and accurate observations in the snow pack related to snow structure and snow properties
• Use the appropriate terminology to describe the snow pack and different types of snow avalanches
• Recognise and communicate the hazard posed by avalanches to movement in avalanche terrain
• Understand the process of avalanche forecasting, and how this is communicated in Norway

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

The course is offered as an intensive 2 week, mostly residential course. The venue for the majority of the course is expected to be Skibotn in Storfjord, with 1-2 days in Tromsø and nearby areas.

The course will include 2-3 hours of lecture each day (30 hours) and 4-5 hours of field-based exercises (40 hours). These will be split across the 2 weeks period and the balance of lecture to field may be shifted each day to maximize snow/weather conditions on particular days.

Five field exercises will require a short 2-3 pages report (lab report), describing the activity, presenting the methods used, the analysis of the data, and the results. Pre- and post- course readings will also be assigned.

The students are expected to spend up to 20 hours outside of class working on their final report following the completion of the field-based component of the course.

Assessment

The assessments consists of two parts:

• Assessment of the five field exercise reports (counts for 50 % of the final grade);
• A home assignment (counts for 50% of the final grade), i.e. a report on a given topic discussed in the class, as approved by the instructor.

Grading scale: Letter grades A-F, where F is not passed.

A re-sit examination for students that did not pass the assessment will not be arranged.

Compulsory learning activities:

Approval of training in health, safety, and environment at the beginning of the field course. This includes the use of high-visibility safety vests and snow safety equipment (beacon, probe and shovel) in the field.

Admittance to the final assessment is granted when the following are approved:

Participation in the field exercises and lectures

Recommended reading/syllabus