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<p>On February 6, 2024, a catastrophic avalanche at Bukongla Mountain in the Southern Himalayas resulted in five fatalities and widespread destruction, extending well beyond the dense-flow deposition zone. This study investigates the geomorphic controls and dynamic mechanisms of this extreme event through field investigations, remote sensing, and analysis of historical incidents. The analysis indicates that the dynamics of the avalanche were fundamentally governed by a two-level planation surface geomorphology. The upper plateau, with an average slope of approximately 33°, acted as the principal accumulation zone, which then entered a steep, deeply incised acceleration track (approximately 50.1°). This pronounced topographical discontinuity served as the principal mechanism driving the formation of a powerful and destructive airblast. Field evidence confirms that the airblast was the main cause of damage at distal locations. After the dense snow flow ceased on the gentle lower valley floor (approximately 11.2°) at a runout distance of about 400&#xa0;m, the airblast propagated independently for an additional 110&#xa0;m, effectively extending the total destructive path by more than 25%. These findings establish a direct causal relationship between the planation-surface geomorphology and the formation of a decoupled, far-reaching airblast, confirming it as an independent and highly destructive process. The study provides new insights into snow avalanche dynamics in high-relief plateau environments and delivers essential scientific guidance for disaster prevention and the design of resilient infrastructure in the Himalayan region and other alpine valleys.</p>

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Terrain controls on snow accumulation and avalanche characteristics: a case study of the February 6, 2024, Bukongla Mountain Avalanche, Southern Himalayas

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月16日

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  • Yongzhi Wang,
  • Mingyang Wu,
  • Junwei Gan,
  • Runing Hou,
  • Ningsheng Chen,
  • Shufeng Tian,
  • Na Huang

摘要

On February 6, 2024, a catastrophic avalanche at Bukongla Mountain in the Southern Himalayas resulted in five fatalities and widespread destruction, extending well beyond the dense-flow deposition zone. This study investigates the geomorphic controls and dynamic mechanisms of this extreme event through field investigations, remote sensing, and analysis of historical incidents. The analysis indicates that the dynamics of the avalanche were fundamentally governed by a two-level planation surface geomorphology. The upper plateau, with an average slope of approximately 33°, acted as the principal accumulation zone, which then entered a steep, deeply incised acceleration track (approximately 50.1°). This pronounced topographical discontinuity served as the principal mechanism driving the formation of a powerful and destructive airblast. Field evidence confirms that the airblast was the main cause of damage at distal locations. After the dense snow flow ceased on the gentle lower valley floor (approximately 11.2°) at a runout distance of about 400 m, the airblast propagated independently for an additional 110 m, effectively extending the total destructive path by more than 25%. These findings establish a direct causal relationship between the planation-surface geomorphology and the formation of a decoupled, far-reaching airblast, confirming it as an independent and highly destructive process. The study provides new insights into snow avalanche dynamics in high-relief plateau environments and delivers essential scientific guidance for disaster prevention and the design of resilient infrastructure in the Himalayan region and other alpine valleys.