Snow avalanches of the Elbrus glacution areaстатья
Статья опубликована в журнале из списка RSCI Web of Science
Информация о цитировании статьи получена из
Scopus
Статья опубликована в журнале из перечня ВАК
Статья опубликована в журнале из списка Web of Science и/или Scopus
Дата последнего поиска статьи во внешних источниках: 28 мая 2015 г.
Аннотация:Abstract
Factors and conditions of avalanche formation on the slopes of the Elbrus Mt. are discussed and the unique avalanche case of May 14, 2005, affecting the traditional route of Elbrus climbers, is analyzed. The avalanche which was formed at the southern slope of the Eastern Peak of the Elbrus Mt. (5350 m above sea level) reached the Pastukhov Shelter (4680 m) and threw down a group of Japanese mountaineers. The avalanche overcame the distance of 1600 m and stopped at 4300 m above sea level. It was caused by an intensive cold snowfall. The analysis of meteorological data for recent decades shows the changes in the regime of precipitation, increasing numbers of high-snow winters and weather anomalies; the maximum accumulation of snow became typical of the spring period. Climate changes influence the Elbrus Mt. glaciers, leading to their degradation and lowering of their surface within both ice tongues and the top areas, where the profound transformation of slope morphology affects the avalanche forming processes. Glaciation area of the Elbrus Mt. is a dynamic system and its present-day evolution could provoke a number of unexpected glaciological phenomena