The powder snow cloud is important for extreme run-outs and thus hazard mapping in Norway. However, it has often not been included in model studies, and only recently dynamical models have started to include this part of the avalanche.
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NGI has developed a new 2-layer depth-averaged mixed-snow avalanche model called MoT_PSA. This master project aims to thoroughly outline the allowable and most plausible ranges of model parameters specifically related to the powder snow cloud. There are quite a few:
- drag coefficients between cloud and snow cover or dense flow,
- entrainment coefficients or shear strength for snow entrainment from the snow cover or top of dense flow into the cloud,
- parameter(s) of the air entrainment rate function,
- particle settling velocity,
- pressure drag coefficient of the cloud.
The challenge is to understand which parameters are important for the result and which can be determined from general knowledge. The second step is to collect data on well-constrained powder snow avalanche events and back-calculate them. On the basis of these simulations, a "recipe" should be developed that can be used in practice, i.e. in consultancy work using MoT-PSA.
In both cases, the necessary qualifications of the applicant are the same:
- interest in snow avalanches,
- some basic understanding of modelling concepts (a model is not the truth)
- some basic understanding of Newton's laws and the like,
- Ability to deal with a lot of computer data systematically,
- possibly interested in doing some field work if an interesting avalanche occurs during the thesis work.