Dr. Alec van Herwijnen
Function
Groupleader
Contact
WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF
Flüelastrasse 11
7260 Davos Dorf
Site
Davos Da B 1 12
Academic Education
- Master in experimental physics, University of Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Master in meteorology and physical oceanography, University of Utrecht, the Netherlands
- PhD in avalanche mechanics, University of Calgary, Canada
- Postdoc at the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research, Davos, Switzerland
- Postdoc at Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
Research interests
- Fracture mechanics in snow
- Avalanche formation and forecasting
- Remote avalanche detection
- Snow slope stability evaluation
- Snow cover spatial variability
- Snow digging
FURTHER INFORMATION
Publications WSL
Scientific publication article peer reviewed
Hendrick, M.; Techel, F.; Volpi, M.; Olevski, T.; Pérez-Guillén, C.; Van Herwijnen, A.; Schweizer, J., 2023: Automated prediction of wet-snow avalanche activity in the Swiss Alps. Journal of Glaciology, (14 pp.). doi: 10.1017/jog.2023.24
Bergfeld, B.; Van Herwijnen, A.; Bobillier, G.; Rosendahl, P.L.; Weißgraeber, P.; Adam, V.; Dual, J.; Schweizer, J., 2023: Temporal evolution of crack propagation characteristics in a weak snowpack layer: conditions of crack arrest and sustained propagation. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 23, 1: 293-315. doi: 10.5194/nhess-23-293-2023
Trottet, B.; Simenhois, R.; Bobillier, G.; Bergfeld, B.; Van Herwijnen, A.; Jiang, C.; Gaume, J., 2022: Transition from sub-Rayleigh anticrack to supershear crack propagation in snow avalanches. Nature Physics, 18: 1094-1098. doi: 10.1038/s41567-022-01662-4
Pérez-Guillén, C.; Techel, F.; Hendrick, M.; Volpi, M.; Van Herwijnen, A.; Olevski, T.; Obozinski, G.; Pérez-Cruz, F.; Schweizer, J., 2022: Data-driven automated predictions of the avalanche danger level for dry-snow conditions in Switzerland. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 22, 6: 2031-2056. doi: 10.5194/nhess-22-2031-2022
Bergfeld, B.; Van Herwijnen, A.; Bobillier, G.; Larose, E.; Moreau, L.; Trottet, B.; Gaume, J.; Cathomen, J.; Dual, J.; Schweizer, J., 2022: Crack propagation speeds in weak snowpack layers. Journal of Glaciology, 68, 269: 557-570. doi: 10.1017/jog.2021.118
Further scientific publications
Morin, S.; Fierz, C.; Horton, S.; Bavay, M.; Coléou, C.; Dumont, M.; Gobiet, A.; Hagenmuller, P.; Lafaysse, M.; Mitterer, C.; Monti, F.; Müller, K.; Olefs, M.; Snook, J.S.; Techel, F.; Van Herwijnen, A.; Vionnet, V., 2018: Application of physical snowpack models in support of operational avalanche hazard forecasting: a status report on current implementations and prospects for the future. In: 2018: International snow science workshop proceedings 2018. International snow science workshop, ISSW 2018, Innsbruck. 1098-1107.
Mayer, S.; Van Herwijnen, A.; Ulivieri, G.; Schweizer, J., 2018: Evaluating the performance of an operational infrasound avalanche detection system at three locations in the Swiss Alps during two winter seasons. In: 2018: International snow science workshop proceedings 2018. International snow science workshop, ISSW 2018, Innsbruck. 611-615.
Van Herwijnen, A.; Heck, M.; Richter, B.; Sovilla, B.; Techel, F., 2018: When do avalanches release: investigating time scales in avalanche formation. In: 2018: International snow science workshop proceedings 2018. International snow science workshop, ISSW 2018, Innsbruck. 1030-1034.
Steinkogler, W.; Ulivieri, G.; Vezzosi, S.; Hendrikx, J.; Van Herwijnen, A.; Humstad, T., 2018: Infrasound detection of avalanches: operational experience from 28 combined winter seasons and future developments. In: 2018: International snow science workshop proceedings 2018. International snow science workshop, ISSW 2018, Innsbruck. 621-626.
Richter, B.; Van Herwijnen, A.; Rotach, M.W.; Schweizer, J., 2018: Sensitivity of modeled snow instability to meteorological input uncertainty. In: 2018: International snow science workshop proceedings 2018. International snow science workshop, ISSW 2018, Innsbruck. 1186-1190.
Magazine article and brochures
Reuter, B.; Van Herwijnen, A.; Schweizer, J., 2016: Untangling slab avalanche release. Avalanche Journal, 111: 44-47.
Schweizer, J.; Van Herwijnen, A., 2008: Auslösung von Schneebrettlawinen. Déclenchement d'avalanches de plaque de neige. FAN Agenda, Fachleute Naturgefahren Schweiz, 15-16.
Other publications
van Herwijnen, A., Jamieson, J.B., 2007. Snowpack properties associated with fracture initiation and propagation resulting in skier-triggered dry slab avalanches. Cold Regions Science and Technology 50(1-3), 13-22.
van Herwijnen, A., Jamieson, J.B., 2007. Fracture character in compression tests. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 47(1-2), 60-68. Translated in French and published in Neige et Avalanches 108.
van Herwijnen, A., Jamieson, J.B., 2005. High-speed photography of fractures in weak snowpack layers. Cold Regions Science and Technology 43(1-2), 71-82.
van Dop, H., van As, D., van Herwijnen, A., Hibberd, M., Jonker, H., 2005. Length scales of scalar diffusion in the convective boundary layer: Laboratory observations. Boundary-Layer Meteorology 116(1), 1-35.
Other publications
van Herwijnen, A. 2005. Fractures in weak snowpack layers in relation to slab avalanche release. PhD. Thesis, University of Calgary.
van Herwijnen, A., Jamieson J.B., 2005. Fracture character in compression tests. Proceedings of the 2004 International Snow Science Workshop, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA.
van Herwijnen, A., Jamieson, J.B., 2004. More results on fracture characterization in compression tests. Avalanche News 68, Canadian Avalanche Association, Revelstoke, British Columbia, 38-41.
van Herwijnen, A., Jamieson, J.B., 2003. An update on fracture character in stability tests. Avalanche News 66, Canadian Avalanche Association, Revelstoke, British Columbia, 26-28.
van Herwijnen, A., Jamieson, J.B., 2003. Interpreting fracture character in stability tests. Proceedings of 2002 International Snow Science Workshop, Penticton, British Columbia, Canada.
van Herwijnen, A., Jamieson, J.B., 2003. Preliminary results from controlled experiments on the growth of faceted crystals above a wet snow layer. Proceedings of 2002 International Snow Science Workshop, Penticton, British Columbia,Canada. Reprinted in Avalanche News 64, 32-37.
van Dop, H., van Herwijnen, A., van As, D., Hibberd, M.F., 2002. Velocity, temperature and scalar length scales in the CBL: Observations and theory. Proceedings of 5th Symposium on Boundary Layers and Turbukence, Boston, USA.
Conference contributions (presenting author)
Oral presentation: Using time-lapse photography to investigate processes related to avalanche release. International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) General Assembly, 22 June to 2 July 2015, Prague, Czech Republic.
Oral presentation: Detecting Avalanches Using Seismic Monitoring Systems. International Snow Science Workshop, 29 September to 3 October 2014, Banff, Alberta, Canada.<br/>
Poster presentation: Monitoring Snow Cornice Development Using Time-Lapse Photography. International Snow Science Workshop, 29 September to 3 October 2014, Banff, Alberta, Canada<br/>
PICO presentation: Remote detection of artificially triggered avalanches below a fixed avalanche control installation. General Assembly of the European Geophysical Union, 27 April - 2 May 2014, Vienna, Austria.
PICO presentation: Robust snow avalanche detection using machine learning on infrasonic array data. General Assembly of the European Geophysical Union, 27 April - 2 May 2014, Vienna, Austria.
Oral presentation: Using time-lapse photography in avalanche research, International Snow Science Workshop, 7-11 October 2013, Grenoble, France.
Poster presentation: Towards a basic avalanche characterization based on the generated seismic signal, International Snow Science Workshop, 7-11 October 2013, Grenoble, France.
Oral presentation: Monitoring of snow avalanche activity in alpine start zones with a geophone array, International workshop of acoustic and seismic monitoring of bedload and mass movements, 4-7 September 2013, Birmensdorf, Switzerland.
Oral presentation: Using particle tracking velocimetry to measure the mechanical properties of snow relevant for dry-snow slab avalanche release, Davos Atmosphere and Cryosphere Assembly DACA-13, 8-12 July 2013, Davos, Switzerland.
Poster presentation: Investigating glide snow avalanche release using seismic monitoring in combination with time-lapse photography, General Assembly of the European Geophysical Union, 7-12 April 2013, Vienna, Austria.
Poster presentation: Investigating surface hoar spatial distributions in complex topography, General Assembly of the European Geophysical Union, 22-27 April 2012, Vienna, Austria.
Poster presentation: SMP cone penetration in homogeneous snow layers, General Assembly of the European Geophysical Union, 22-27 April 2012, Vienna, Austria.
Poster presentation: Seismic detection of avalanches in an alpine basin, American Geophysical Union (AGU) fall meeting, 5-9 December 2001, San Francisco, California, USA.
Oral presentation: Laboratory experiments on the formation and structure of depth hoar, International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) General Assembly, 28 June to 7 July 2011, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Oral presentation: Monitoring glide avalanches using time-lapse photography, International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) General Assembly, 28 June to 7 July 2011, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Oral presentation: A field test to measure slab stiffness and weak layer fracture energy, International Snow Science Workshop, 17 to 22 October 2010, Lake Tahoe, California, USA.
Poster presentation: Using a seismic sensor to monitor avalanche activity, International Snow Science Workshop, 17 to 22 October 2010, Lake Tahoe, California, USA.
Poster presentation: Field measurement of weak layer fracture energy, International Snow Science Workshop, 17 to 22 October 2010, Lake Tahoe, California, USA.
Oral presentation: Field measurements of friction in weak snowpack layers, International Snow Science Workshop, 27 September to 2 October 2009, Davos, Switzerland.
Oral presentation: Field measurements on fracture propagation in weak snowpack layers, International Snow Science Workshop, 21-27 September 2008, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada.
Poster presentation: Micro-structural snowpack parameters associated with fracture character, International Snow Science Workshop, 21-27 September 2008, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada.
Poster presentation: Field experiments on fracture propagation in weak snowpack layers, General Assembly of the European Geophysical Union, 13-19 April 2008, Vienna, Austria.
Poster presentation: Development of a seismic sensor array for an avalanche start zone, General Assembly of the European Geophysical Union, 13-19 April 2008, Vienna, Austria.
Poster presentation: Snowpack properties associated with skier-triggering of dry slab avalanches, General Assembly of the European Geophysical Union, 2-7 April 2006, Vienna, Austria.
Oral presentation: High-speed photography of fractures in weak snowpack layers, General Assembly of the European Geophysical Union, 25-30 April 2004, Nice, France.
Oral presentation: Fracture character in compression tests, International Snow Science Workshop, 19-24 September 2004, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA.
Poster presentation: Interpreting fracture character in stability tests, International Snow Science Workshop, 29 September-4 October 2002, Penticton, British Columbia, Canada.