Under the editorship of the world's leading snow and avalanche research institute SLF in Davos, some of the most experienced snow and avalanche experts have written a new basic textbook on the subject of snow. The book is generously and very attractively designed. The rather concise but consistently informative and clearly written chapters introduce the reader to the complex world of snow. The phenomenon of snow is examined in its various meanings, e.g. for winter sports, as a drinking water resource, as a climate regulator and also as a threat (avalanches) and is explained in a very informative way for both laymen and experienced snow enthusiasts. In six chapters, leading scientists in their field explain many interesting facts about snow and succeed in explaining the connections between the various (sub-)disciplines. (1.) Snow researcher Henning Löwe explains the special features of snow as a material(2.) Charles Fierz, Tobias Jonas and Manfred Stähli explain the structure and transformation processes in the snow cover and - particularly useful for understanding - why snow crystals in a powder snow cover change just as negatively as chocolate ice crystals in the freezer. Deep snow fans have always known this: old snow is hard to ski on and old ice tastes bad.
(3.) A team of authors led by the renowned avalanche researcher Jürg Schweizer, who is also the director of the SLF, presents the dangers that snow poses to people in the mountains. The focus here is on the risk of avalanches.
(4.) Hansueli Rhyner and his colleagues explain the great economic importance of snow as a resource, particularly in times of an increasingly warm climate.
(5.) Christian Rixe and Christine Huovinen explain snow as a habitat for animals, plants and humans.
(6.) Christoph Marty and colleagues explain the role of snow, snow cover and ice cover for the climate of the world, but also for regional climates.
Images and sample pages from the contents
Facts about the bookSnow. WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF (ed.)
Authors: Henning Löwe, Charles Fierz, Tobias Jonas, Manfred Stähli, Jürg Schweizer, Stefan Margreth, Thomas Feistl, Thomas Stucki, Hansueli Rhyner, Christian Rixen, Christoph Marty, Christine Huovinen, Marcia Phillips
160 pages | 29.4 x 22.6 cm | hardcover, bound
Publisher: Primus Verlag, 2013
Ca. 100 color photos
Price: 39,90 Euro
