Management of Snow Avalanche Risk in the Ski Areas of the Southern Carpathians-Romanian Carpathians - Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions: Southeastern Europe - page 117

Fig. 10.12 Traditional forms of snow avalanche management: snow sheds ( top-left ), snowpack
support structures ( top-centre ), systems drainage ( top-right ) and deflecting dikes (on the bottom )
(photos by Voiculescu, 2004, 2008)
snow avalanche risk scale was launched in 1993-1994, Romania adopted it due to
the need for unique snow avalanche prevention criteria. In this respect, there are
permanent broadcasts regarding avalanche risks within periods with large quantities
of snowfall according to National Administration of Meteorology (Administra , ia
Na , ionala de Meteorologie, 2004-2005, 2005-2006, 2006-2007, 2007-2008).
A large part of the Romanian Carpathians, such as Eastern Carpathians and
Southern Carpathians (except the Western Carpathians), are areas exposed to
avalanches. They are recorded in the European Spatial Planning Observation
Network (ESPON). On the other hand, research institutes grant a heightened atten-
tion to the phenomenon. Therefore the Geographic Institute of the Romanian
Academy is developing a general map (using ESRI GIS ArcView) of geomorpho-
logic risks, including snow avalanche hazards. In this respect we need to mention
that mapping snow avalanches on hazard maps, which include the zoning criteria
do not prevent avalanches, they reduce the probability of damage (Höller, 2007 ,
p. 96), and therefore are of high necessity within mountain areas with winter sports
potential.