Why do avalanches occur?

It generally takes just two ingredients to create avalanche conditions: A slope of 30 degrees or more, and layers of snow.

“Avalanches are really tied into having layers within the snowpack, and those layers are caused by weather conditions,” said Ben Bernall, an avalanche forecaster with the U.S. Forest Service Panhandle Avalanche Center. “It’s kind of like a cake: You might have a nice thick layer that’s good and cohesive, and then a thinner layer of frosting. Then put another cake on top of that, and throw in the factor of a slope angle or steep terrain.”

The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities and the Alaska Railroad Corporation used Drone Avalanche Reduction Technology or DART developed by Drone Amplified in January to place and then detonate explosives; safely setting off avalanches from a distance in order to protect vulnerable transportation infrastructure from damage. 

The Alaska DOT&PF said the goal is the program is to shift away from the use of artillery-based avalanche mitigation techniques to ones that rely on drones, also known as UAS.

“This demonstration represents a significant step forward in avalanche risk reduction for our public highways,” noted Timothy Glassett, Alaska DOT&PF avalanche and artillery program manager, in a statement.

A drone carrying explosives prepares for takeoff as part of a 2024 Drone Avalanche Reduction Technology program test the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities conducted in partnership with Alaska Railroad Corporation. A $1 million grant the department received this year includes funding for sensors to report avalanche conditions, allowing controlled releases to prevent avalanches that affect Seward Highway. 

How Can Drones Improve Avalanche Control?

Avalanches are a natural phenomenon, but their impact on human activities and the environment can be devastating. With the advancement of technology, drones, as an efficient and safe tool, are changing the traditional way of avalanche monitoring and control, and providing new solutions for safety in alpine areas.

Traditional avalanche control methods mainly include manual triggering and blasting, avalanche barrier construction and fixed-point monitoring. Although these methods are effective, they have the following limitations:

• High artificial risk: triggering avalanches requires professionals to enter dangerous areas, and life safety is threatened.

• High cost: building avalanche barriers requires a lot of resources and is difficult to promote in remote areas.

• Limited monitoring coverage: the monitoring range of fixed equipment is limited and cannot respond quickly to large-scale environmental changes.

What if you get caught in an avalanche?

As fast as you can, try to cover/cup your mouth and nose with your hands. If your arms are extended when you’re buried, you won’t be able to move them.

The cupped hands provide a tiny air pocket. And your breath is warm when you blow out (try it), so it can help melt the snow. If you’re lucky, you might be able to wiggle a finger or two to slowly dig through otherwise cement-like snow for space with more air to breathe, and eventually lead to an escape.