Degree(s) Held:
B.A., International Studies, Pepperdine University 1995
Degree Sought:M.S. in Earth Sciences |
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Title of Research Project:
The effects of explosive on the physical proporties of snow
Advisor:
Karl Birkeland and Jordy Hendrikx
Email Address:
Project Summary
Explosives are a critically important component of avalanche control programs, and are used both to initiate avalanche and to test the snowpack by ski areas, highway department and other avalanche programs. Despite the importance of explosives, our knowledge about the effects of explosives on the physical properties of snow is limited. My research aims to narrow this gap by examining changes in physical snow properties resulting from explosive use.The primary aim of my study is to identify and accurately measure changes in snow properties, specifically density and hardness due to blast effects regardless of slope angle. This study also seeks to explore changes in snow stability as determined by the Extended Column Test (ECT).
My research aims to answer two specific questions:
- After applying explosives, is there a measureable change in snow hardness, density or stability?
- Is there a trend in these changes as distance from the center of the blast increases?
This work seeks to provide practical, field based knowledge about explosives’ effects on snow. With a better understanding of explosives’ capabilities, avalanche control workers may be able to use them more efficiently and more effectively. It will also serve as part of a greater effort to further our knowledge about how explosives act in and affect snow.
I have two data sets comprised of eight surface shots and seventeen suspended shots. These were collected during the winter of 2010/2011 and do not include results of ECTs. A preliminary analysis of suspended blast effects indicates an increase in densities that decreases with distance from the blast center and with depth. I am currently working on further analysis and performing additional explosives tests to obtain a larger data set.
Performing stability tests Making snowpack measurements
An airblast in action Snowpits from after the explosive test
