Program
Keynote
Keynote information
Andrea Taurisano
Andrea Taurisano is an Italian-born geologist with over 18 years working experience with snow avalanche and other gravitative processes in Norway, his main focus being hazard mapping and mitigation measures. He has worked extensively both as a practitioner and in natural hazard management at a national level and on more occasions contributed to disaster risk reduction in Afghanistan. More recently, he has been part of a government-appointed working group for the revision of the Norwegian technical regulations for new buildings.
Short introduction of keynote speech
Managing natural hazards risk: Perspectives from far-flung.
Risk management encompasses policies, strategies, measures, and methods that aim to reduce risk to a tolerable level. Managing the risk from natural hazards, in particular, is a daunting task that involves legislators, local administrations and communities, scientists, practitioners and product developers. How do we find our place in it and contribute to an effective risk management? And what should we focus on? The keynote will share perspectives gained during a recent revision of Norwegian technical regulations, as well as previous work with disaster risk reduction in Afghanistan, but that are likely to have an even more international relevance.
Michael L. Kyburz
Michael L. Kyburz received his bachelor and master degree in mechanical engineering from the Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETH Zürich) specializing in fluid dynamics and numerical modelling with CFD codes. Between 2017 and 2021 he was a student at the Mechanics doctoral school at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and at the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF in Davos working on his dissertation on impact forces induced by granular snow avalanches on obstacles using the Discrete Element Method.
Since 2021, Michael has employed the Material Point Method (MPM) to conduct full-scale simulations of geophysical flows—including snow avalanches, rock avalanches, and landslides— in his work at the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF in Davos and the Chair for Alpine Mass Movements at ETH Zürich. In real-world case studies, he investigates the hazard potential and run-out of alpine mass movements, their interactions with mitigation measures and infrastructure, as well as the generation of impulse waves and other cascading processes.
Short introduction of keynote speech
From granular mechanics to 3D modeling: Advancing avalanche hazard assessment and mitigation
This keynote explores the integration of granular mechanics and advanced 3D modeling techniques to enhance avalanche hazard assessment and mitigation strategies. Using the three-dimensional Material Point Method (MPM) solver SLAB3D, combined with validated physics-based μ(I) rheological models, we simulate mass movements of geomaterials such as snow, rock, and debris. The μ(I) granular rheology provides a more comprehensive representation of such granular flows compared to the Voellmy model, incorporating pressure dependence and friction saturation at large velocities—key factors for accurately simulating interactions with structures. This approach enables a deeper understanding of the dynamic processes that govern these events, offering very detailed insights that can go beyond what experimental methods alone can provide. SLAB3D’s numerical efficiency enables realistic, fully 3D simulations over complex terrain, addressing interactions with natural and man-made obstacles, including forests and infrastructure, and simulating critical phenomena such as run-up, overflow, and structural forces on obstacles. The keynote will cover the practical applications of this modeling approach, highlighting real-world case studies, including the 2019 “Salezer” avalanche and the Siglufjörður avalanche dam analysis for the Icelandic Meteorological Office. These examples demonstrate how advanced modeling tools can bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical hazard mitigation strategies, offering valuable guidance for engineers and decision-makers.
Kristín Martha Hákonarsdóttir
Avalanche specialist at the Minstry of the Environment, Energy and Climate
Kristín Martha is an Icelandic fluid dynamicist with 20 years of experience in avalanche, landslide, and more recently, lava-flow protection design for Verkís, a consulting engineering firm in Iceland. She has actively contributed to research on the interaction of avalanches and slush flows with dams. Kristín Martha currently holds a position at the Ministry of the Environment, Energy, and Climate, where she manages the Icelandic Avalanche and Landslide Fund.
Short introduction of keynote speech
Avalanche and landslide protection measures in Iceland: 30 years of design innovations protecting ten Icelandic communities.
The Icelandic Avalanche and Landslide Fund was established in 1996 following catastrophic avalanches in Flateyri and Súðavík in 1995. The fund is operated by the Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate under the 1997 Act on Protection Against Snow Avalanches and Landslides (No. 49). Its primary role is to finance mitigation measures, risk assessments, and hazard monitoring. Since 1996, defence structures have been built in ten communities across Iceland, with approximately 70% of planned projects completed. These include 27 catching dams, 22 deflecting dams, 83 braking mounds, four splitters and 13.5 km of supporting structures.
To date, 58 avalanches have interacted with these defences. Notably, the deflecting dams above Flateyri, constructed in 1997, have been struck by multiple avalanches, including four large avalanches, two with developed fluidized heads (in 2020). The Boli-dams above Siglufjörður, built in 1998-1999, have deflected small to medium-sized avalanches. In 2023 large fluidized to dense avalanches interacted with supporting structures, steep mounds and dams in Neskaupstaður, built in two phases (1999 to 2002 and 2012-2015).
These events, combined with advances in numerical modelling and small-scale experiments, have improved understanding of avalanche-dam interaction. They underscore the need to reexamine the design of existing defence layouts at nine locations in Iceland to assess the need to enhance their effectiveness. The presentation will focus on these design innovations.
Þórhildur Þórhallsdóttir
Þórhildur Þórhallsdóttir is a landscape architect and have extensive experience in the landscape design of avalanche and slush flow protection in Iceland. Her work focuses on designing surface finishes and mitigation measures for these protection sites, with a strong emphasis on ensuring the structures integrate harmoniously with their surrounding settlements. Her approach prioritizes the aesthetic and functional adaptation of flood protection measures, aiming to transform these areas into valuable spaces for residents, encouraging recreational use and improving public health. As a result, many of these areas have become widely used by the community.
Landmótun, the landscape architecture and planning firm where Þórhildur has worked since 2007, was founded in 1994 and is based in Kópavogur. The firm has been involved in the planning and design of flood protection structures in Iceland since 1999 and has gained extensive expertise in this field. Over time, the role of landscape architects in flood protection projects has evolved. Initially, their work was focused on restoring disturbed areas after construction, but today, landscape architects in Iceland are involved from the project’s inception, working through every stage until completion.
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Following the catastrophic avalanches that struck the
Westfjords of Iceland in 1995, the country undertook a comprehensive
reorganization of its avalanche defence systems. Landscape architects have been
involved from the outset, and their role has expanded considerably over time.
Initially focused on mitigating environmental disturbance, it soon became
evident that their input was essential to fully integrate defence structures into
the built and natural environment.
Many of these defences have evolved into multifunctional
spaces, providing not only protection but also recreational opportunities for
local residents. Early integration of landscape design into technical planning
has proven crucial in ensuring the long-term success and public acceptance of
these structures.
In practice, constructing effective defences has often
required substantial landscape modifications—reshaping hillsides, removing
forests and berry fields, and, in some cases, extending works into private
gardens, roads, and paths. To manage these impacts, close collaboration with
municipalities is essential. This includes early engagement with municipal
officials, technical staff, and residents through formal presentations and
informal consultations. Design proposals are communicated clearly, and
community feedback is actively considered.
Though construction phases often involve unexpected
adjustments, the core objectives remain consistent: to safeguard communities while
improving local environments, supporting outdoor activity, and enhancing public
health. Many defence sites now feature various rest areas and educational
signage, reinforcing their role as valued public spaces.
This presentation outlines lessons learned from Iceland’s
interdisciplinary approach, emphasizing the importance of early collaboration
between engineers, landscape architects, and municipalities in designing
effective and socially integrated avalanche defences.