Sewell Mining Town

Back-analysis modelling for the catastrophic avalanches in Sewell, Central Chilean Andes

Catastrophic avalanches in Sewell, Chile, exhibit distinct behaviors based on snow type and altitude, with wet dense flows and dry powder avalanches showing different run-out dynamics. Using back-analysis modeling with Aval-1D and RAMMS software, researchers reconstructed four major events (1914, 1926, 1941, 1944) to analyze their impact and propose modifications to friction parameters for better risk assessment in mountainous mining towns. The study highlights the influence of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on precipitation patterns, which directly affects avalanche conditions in this region.