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Author(s):
David R. Butler, Stephen J. Walsh, George P. Malanson
Year Published:

Cataloging Information

Topic(s):
Fire Effects
Management Approaches
Ecosystem(s):
Subalpine wet spruce-fir forest, Subalpine dry spruce-fir forest

NRFSN number: 12032
FRAMES RCS number: 16119
Record updated:

Snow-avalanche paths and landslides are common geomorphic features in Glacier National Park (GNP), Montana, and represent hazards to human occupancy and utilization of the park. Forest fires have been spatially extensive there, and it is well documented that areas subjected to forest fires become increasingly susceptible to avalanching and landsliding. The locations of all snow avalanche paths and landslides in east- central GNP have been mapped on topographic maps and verified. The avalanche paths have been digitized and entered into a geographic information system (GIS) using ARC/INFO. Digital elevation models and Landsat Thematic Mapper digital data were processed to create elevation, slope angle and aspect, and landcover GIS overlays. Merging of overlays illustrates areas of maximum erosion potential by snow avalanching and by landsliding in the event of a forest fire. Post-fire vegetational succession can be accommodated into the GIS to illustrate areas of high, medium, and low hazard from avalanching and landsliding.

Citation

Butler, David R.; Walsh, Stephen J.; Malanson, George P. 1991. GIS applications to the indirect effects of forest fires in mountainous terrain. In: Nodvin, Stephen C.; Waldrop, Thomas A., eds. Fire and the environment: ecological and cultural perspectives. Gen. Tech. Rep. SE-GTR-69. Asheville, NC: USDA Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. p. 202-211.