The Natural Hazards
Programme 3: Avalanche

Aims

To describe and explain the avalanche that inundated Galtür in Austria
To illustrate the effects and consequences of the avalanche
To explore the relationship between the avalanche and the effect on human activity, especially tourism

00.00–02.22 Introduction to the Alps, the ski resort of Galtür, the disaster of 1999 and opening titles
02.23–03.30 The winter of 1999, the continuous passage of low pressure systems and the heavy snowfalls of February
03.31–04.43 An explanation of the two main types of avalanche
04.44–06.10 The causes and impact of the avalanche that hit Galtür
06.11–-07.42 A doctor describes the effect of the avalanche on people in the village
07.43–08.38 The personal impact of the avalanche and the problems of rescue
08.39–11.55 Galtür today and the measures taken to reduce the damage from future avalanches
11.56–13.05 The construction of the new Alpine Exhibition Centre at the spot where the avalanche crashed through the heart of the village
13.06–15.05 The significance of the avalanche protection schemes in maintaining the economy of Galtür, especially skiing and tourism
15.06–end Credits

Curriculum Relevance

Avalanches as hazards and the effects of and responses to avalanches
The interaction between people and glacial environments
The impact of tourism on people and their environment
A case study of one avalanche and its management in an MEDC (more economically developed country)

Background

Why was there such a build-up of snow in the Alps above Galtür in February 1999?
The Alps are a spectacular mountain range over 3,000 metres high with a sharp, steep landscape. In February 1999, a series of low pressure systems persisted that brought continuous heavy snowfall. The result was that in one month, more than twice the amount of snow fell as usually falls during the whole winter from December to April.

How are avalanches created?
Avalanches occur when a large amount of snow and ice or rock falls suddenly down a mountainside. There are two main types of avalanche - dense flow avalanches or 'wet' avalanches, sometimes called slab avalanches, and powder snow or 'dry' avalanches. Most of them happen during or soon after storms. Slab avalanches are usually more deadly than powder snow avalanches but this disaster was a dry avalanche. Avalanches happen when a weak layer of snow can no longer support the weight of the snow above it and the overlying snow cracks and breaks away.

What happened at Galtür and why?
Very high winds and low temperatures meant that exceptionally large amounts of snow were deposited without breaking free. The build-up of snow continued for a week until record levels had been deposited. When the mass gave way, in places a giant 50 metre wall of snow travelled with great force up to 200 kilometres an hour into the small town. It overturned cars, damaged buildings and 31 people were killed. In February 1999 there was simply too much snow that accumulated very quickly and enormous quantities fell on the valley floors. Once the avalanche began it collected more and more snow that ran far out into the valley floor and engulfed the settlement that was built there. The steep, sharp Alpine landscape intensified the effect of the avalanche.

What can be done to reduce the danger of avalanches?
Austria has tried to categorize areas that are in danger from avalanches by creating red zones and yellow zones. In red zones construction of any kind is prohibited. In yellow zones certain safety measures apply and strict building codes are enforced. Although the threat of avalanches is present the buildings are constructed in such a way that people should not be harmed. Galtür is built in a yellow zone. At the time the avalanche struck at 4.00pm many people were returning from the ski slopes and were caught out on the streets rather than in the relative safety of the buildings.

Austria has spent a great deal of money to try to reduce the risks from avalanches -constructing strong, resistant buildings; avalanche barriers on the mountain slopes; planting trees which in themselves break the flow of an avalanche. However, pressure for further development on mountainsides to meet the increased demand from tourists creates tensions between planners, environmentalists and the authorities. If further development continues to take place then the risks from avalanches also increase.

Activities

1. Galtür is situated in the Paznau valley in the Tyrol region of Austria. Find the Tyrol region in an atlas. It is a classical glaciated highland area. Describe and explain why the landscape features in this area are ideal for skiing and attractive for tourists.

2. Working in small discussion groups and using the background information above and the television programme:

What are the advantages and disadvantages of developing tourism in environmentally hazardous environments?
Is such development sustainable? (Think in terms of the impact on the landscape, the people and the economy.)
Give a brief presentation of your conclusions to the rest of the class. What are the similarities and differences between your decisions and those of the other groups?

3. You are a journalist and have been asked to write an article about the avalanche in Galtür. Write your article as if you were interviewing several people - a local resident living in Galtur; a visitor on a skiing holiday; an environmental campaigner and the mayor of Galtür. What are the messages that each person would convey?

Links

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http://www.urova.fi/home/arktinen/avalanch.htm
Avalanches: a detailed description of the causes and effects of avalanches, the risks involved and survival techniques – Level: teachers

Killer avalanches
Eugen Freund, Washington correspondent for The Austrian Radio And TV Network, and Dale Atkins, an avalanche forecaster at the Colorado Avalanche Information Centre, discuss the latest avalanches in Europe that have currently claimed 33 lives – 25 February 1999 – Level: teachers