Modeling a fluid to solid phase transition in snow weak-layers. Application to slab avalanche release

TL;DR

This paper presents a model for the fluid-to-solid phase transition in snow weak layers, explaining slab avalanche release through stress-driven bond failure and reconstruction in ice grains.

Contribution

It introduces an original kinetic model capturing the sudden transition in weak layer behavior, linking granular physics to avalanche phenomena.

Findings

Identified a stress-driven phase transition in snow weak layers.

The model reproduces observed avalanche release behavior.

Potential applicability to other granular materials.

Abstract

Snow slab avalanche release usually results from failure of weak layers made of loose ice crystals. In previous field experiments, we evidenced for the first time an interesting stress-driven transition in the weak layer between a granular fluid and a solid phase. We propose here an original model involving the kinetics of ice grains bonds failure and reconstruction. The model evidences a sudden transition between two drastically different types of weak layer behaviors. It accounts for the characteristics of both the studied fluid-solid transition and for slab avalanche release observations. It may possibly apply to a number of other granular materials.