Avalanche control is an important aspect of safety in mountainous areas, particularly in winter sports areas. Explosives can be used to trigger avalanches in a controlled manner, reducing the risk of uncontrolled avalanches and improving safety for those in the area. The use of helicopters to deploy explosives in avalanche control has become increasingly popular in recent years, as helicopters allow for rapid deployment of explosives to remote and hard-to-reach areas. However, the effectiveness of helicopter bombing in avalanche control is dependent on a number of factors, including the placement and mass of the explosives used. This review will examine the effectiveness of using helicopters in avalanche control, with a focus on the placement and mass of explosives used in helicopter bombing by reviewing a researched article published in 1983 in Annals of Glaciology , Volume 4.
The paper in question is titled “On the Placement and Mass of Avalanche Explosives: Experience with Helicopter Bombing and Preplanted Charges.” This study looks at the use of helicopters in avalanche control and the effectiveness of using them to deploy explosives.
Avalanche control is an important aspect of safety in mountainous areas, particularly in winter sports areas. Explosives can be used to trigger avalanches in a controlled manner, reducing the risk of uncontrolled avalanches and improving safety for those in the area.
The study found that using helicopters to deploy explosives can be an effective means of avalanche control. Helicopters allow for rapid deployment of explosives to remote and hard-to-reach areas, which can be difficult or impossible to access on foot. Additionally, helicopters can provide a platform for observing and assessing avalanche conditions, allowing for more targeted and effective avalanche control measures.
However, the study also found that the effectiveness of helicopter bombing is highly dependent on the placement and mass of the explosives used. Proper placement and mass can result in effective avalanche control, while improper placement or insufficient mass may not trigger an avalanche or may result in an uncontrolled avalanche.
Preplanted charges, on the other hand, were found to be less effective than helicopter bombing. Preplanted charges require significant manpower and time to place, and they may not be able to reach remote or hard-to-reach areas. Additionally, preplanted charges may be subject to weather conditions or other factors that can impact their effectiveness.
Overall, the study concludes that using helicopters to deploy explosives can be an effective means of avalanche control, particularly in remote or hard-to-reach areas. However, proper placement and mass of explosives is crucial to ensuring their effectiveness. While preplanted charges may be useful in certain situations, they are generally less effective and more time-consuming than helicopter bombing.