Premium
The North Atlantic Oscillation and snow avalanching in Iceland
Author(s) -
Keylock C. J.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2002gl016272
Subject(s) - north atlantic oscillation , snow , northern hemisphere , climatology , atlantic multidecadal oscillation , environmental science , oscillation (cell signaling) , geology , climate change , physical geography , oceanography , geography , geomorphology , biology , genetics
The number of snow avalanche cycles occurring in Iceland is correlated to a major source of variability in climate, the North Atlantic Oscillation. A new index for this oscillation is produced that reflects the cumulative effect of snow build‐up in a starting zone. An analysis of the time‐series for this index shows that recent avalanche tragedies in Iceland are linked to a rise in this index. Consequently, estimations of avalanche return periods and thus, avalanche hazard zones, may need re‐evaluation. Because the oscillation has an impact upon climate throughout the Northern Hemisphere, this may be necessary in a number of other countries.