MuXi: Altitude limits, what do they represent?

Answer:

Friction parameters mu and xi are automatically calculated according to return period, avalanche volume, “track type” (flat, open slope, channelled and gully) and altitude. In the “Automatic MuXi Procedure” you can specify the altitude limits:

Altitude limit 1 is the upper limit, and altitude limit 2 the lower limit.

These limits will change the friction values according to the altitude, assuming, that the temperatures are higher in lower regions, and thus the snow characteristics are different (higher snow densities with higher temperatures, etc…).

• Upper limit: is normally below the tree line (in Switzerland, the tree line is around 1800m……we use 1500m as the upper limit)
• Lower limit: the lower limit could be seen as a “snow line”. In Switzerland this limit is normally 1000m.

Suggestions for altitude limits for different regions:

 September 2nd 2024