Finger formation in snow avalanche deposit

Abstract

Finger-like debris are sometimes observed in the deposition area of snow avalanches. Particle segregation within the flow is a key factor for finger formation during debris flow; however, investigation of the particle size distribution in snow avalanche debris led to a contrasting conclusion. A novel hypothesis is proposed herein for explaining finger formation by constructing a model in which debris continue to flow or get deposited depending on the distribution of velocity and random kinetic energy within the flow.