Articles | Volume 15, issue 7
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3539-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3539-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
30 Jul 2021
Research article |
| 30 Jul 2021
| 30 Jul 2021
Dynamic crack propagation in weak snowpack layers: insights from high-resolution, high-speed photography
WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos, Switzerland
Alec van Herwijnen
WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos, Switzerland
Benjamin Reuter
Météo-France, CNRS, CNRM, Centre d`Etudes de la
Neige, Grenoble, France
Grégoire Bobillier
WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos, Switzerland
Jürg Dual
Institute for Mechanical Systems, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Jürg Schweizer
WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos, Switzerland
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Cited
15 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Using video detection of snow surface movements to estimate weak layer crack propagation speeds R. Simenhois et al. https://doi.org/10.1017/aog.2023.36
- Transition from sub-Rayleigh anticrack to supershear crack propagation in snow avalanches B. Trottet et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-022-01662-4
- Review of High‐Speed Digital Image Correlation: Advancements and Good Practices A. Arrington et al. https://doi.org/10.1111/str.70018
- Predicting mixed mode damage propagation in snowpack using the extended cohesive damage element method J. Chen et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tafmec.2022.103567
- Temporal evolution of crack propagation characteristics in a weak snowpack layer: conditions of crack arrest and sustained propagation B. Bergfeld et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-293-2023
- Signatures of the sub-Rayleigh to supershear fracture transition in snow avalanche experiments B. Bergfeld et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-65825-6
- Modelling snowpack stability from simulated snow stratigraphy: Summary and implementation examples L. Viallon-Galinier et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2022.103596
- Crack propagation speeds in weak snowpack layers B. Bergfeld et al. https://doi.org/10.1017/jog.2021.118
- Numerical investigation of crack propagation regimes in snow fracture experiments G. Bobillier et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-024-01423-5
- The effect of slab touchdown on anticrack arrest in propagation saw tests P. Rosendahl et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-1975-2025
- A closed-form model for layered snow slabs P. Weißgraeber & P. Rosendahl https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1475-2023
- Fracture toughness of mixed-mode anticracks in highly porous materials V. Adam et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51491-7
- A fiber bundle model for compressive failures of compacted Antarctic snow E. Xiao et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphy.2026.1766941
- The effect of propagation saw test geometries on critical cut length B. Bergfeld et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-321-2025
- Dynamic Process of Dry Snow Slab Avalanche Formation: Theory, Experiment and Numerical Simulation P. Yue et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15060201
15 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Using video detection of snow surface movements to estimate weak layer crack propagation speeds R. Simenhois et al. https://doi.org/10.1017/aog.2023.36
- Transition from sub-Rayleigh anticrack to supershear crack propagation in snow avalanches B. Trottet et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-022-01662-4
- Review of High‐Speed Digital Image Correlation: Advancements and Good Practices A. Arrington et al. https://doi.org/10.1111/str.70018
- Predicting mixed mode damage propagation in snowpack using the extended cohesive damage element method J. Chen et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tafmec.2022.103567
- Temporal evolution of crack propagation characteristics in a weak snowpack layer: conditions of crack arrest and sustained propagation B. Bergfeld et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-293-2023
- Signatures of the sub-Rayleigh to supershear fracture transition in snow avalanche experiments B. Bergfeld et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-65825-6
- Modelling snowpack stability from simulated snow stratigraphy: Summary and implementation examples L. Viallon-Galinier et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2022.103596
- Crack propagation speeds in weak snowpack layers B. Bergfeld et al. https://doi.org/10.1017/jog.2021.118
- Numerical investigation of crack propagation regimes in snow fracture experiments G. Bobillier et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-024-01423-5
- The effect of slab touchdown on anticrack arrest in propagation saw tests P. Rosendahl et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-1975-2025
- A closed-form model for layered snow slabs P. Weißgraeber & P. Rosendahl https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1475-2023
- Fracture toughness of mixed-mode anticracks in highly porous materials V. Adam et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51491-7
- A fiber bundle model for compressive failures of compacted Antarctic snow E. Xiao et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphy.2026.1766941
- The effect of propagation saw test geometries on critical cut length B. Bergfeld et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-321-2025
- Dynamic Process of Dry Snow Slab Avalanche Formation: Theory, Experiment and Numerical Simulation P. Yue et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15060201
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 07 Jun 2026
Short summary
The modern picture of the snow slab avalanche release process involves a
dynamic crack propagation phasein which a whole slope becomes detached. The present work contains the first field methodology which provides the temporal and spatial resolution necessary to study this phase. We demonstrate the versatile capabilities and accuracy of our method by revealing intricate dynamics and present how to determine relevant characteristics of crack propagation such as crack speed.
The modern picture of the snow slab avalanche release process involves a
dynamic crack...
