Snow and avalanche mechanics, avalanche dynamics and engineering, avalanche prediction and forecasting.

Dr. McClung holds the NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Snow and Avalanche Science, supported by NSERC, Forest Renewal BC, Canadian Mountain Holidays, and UBC. The research program covers avalanche forecasting and interaction of avalanches and forest cover.

2014

MCCLUNG, D.M. 2014 ‘Risk analyses for dry snow slab avalanches released by skier triggering’ Natural Hazards 72(2), 1139-1158

2013

MCCLUNG, D.M. 2013 ‘Effects of triggering mechanism on avalanche slope angles and slab depths from field data’ Natural Hazards 69(3), 1721-1731

MCCLUNG, D.M. 2013 ‘The effects of El Niňo and La Niňa on snow and avalanche patterns in British Columbia, Canada and central Chile’ Journal of Glaciology 59(216), 783-792

BORSTAD, C.P. and MCCLUNG, D.M. 2013 ‘A higher-order method for determining quasi-brittle tensile fracture parameters governing the release of slab avalanches and a new tool for in-situ testing’ Journal of Geophysical Research 118(2) 900-912 DOI 10.1002/jgrf.20065

2012

MCCLUNG, D.M. and BORSTAD, C.P. 2012 ‘Deformation and energy of snow slabs prior to fracture propagation’ Journal of Glaciology 58(209), 553-564

ANDERSON, G. and MCCLUNG, D.M. 2012 ‘Probabilistic prediction for penetration of snow avalanches into forest cover’ Canadian Geotechnical Journal

MCCLUNG, D.M. and BORSTAD, C.P. 2012 ‘Probability distribution of energetic-statistical strength size effect in alpine snow’ Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics 29, 53-63

2011

BORSTAD, C.P. and MCCLUNG, D.M. 2011 ‘Numerical Modeling of Tensile Fracture Initiation and Propagation in Snow Slabs Using Nonlocal Damage Mechanics’ Cold Regions Science and Technology 69(2-3), 145-155

BORSTAD, C.P. and MCCLUNG, D.M. 2011 ‘Thin blade penetration resistance and snow strength’ Journal of Glaciology 57(202), 325-336

MCCLUNG, D.M. 2011 ‘The strength and weight of evidence in backcountry avalanche forecasting’ Natural Hazards 59(3), 1635-1645 DOI 10.1007/s 11069-011-9856-y

MCCLUNG, D.M. 2011 ‘The critical size of macroscopic imperfections in dry snow slab avalanche initiation’ Journal of Geophysical Research 116(F3) DOI 10.1029/2010JF001866

MCCLUNG, D.M. 2011 ‘Analysis of critical length measurements for dry snow slab weak-layer shear fracture’ Journal of Glaciology 57(203), 557-566

2009

CORDY, P., MCCLUNG, D.M., HAWKINS, C.J., TWEEDY, J. and WEICK, T. 2009 ‘Computer assisted avalanche prediction using electronic weather sensor data’ Cold Regions Science and Technology 59, 227-233

BORSTAD, C.P. and MCCLUNG, D.M. 2009 ‘Sensitivity analyses in snow avalanche dynamics modeling and implications when modeling extreme events’ Canadian Geotechnical Journal 46(9), 1011-1023

CONGER, S.M. and MCCLUNG, D.M. 2009 ‘Comparison of density cutters for snow profile observations‘ Journal of Glaciology 55(189), 163-169

MCCLUNG, D.M. 2009 ‘Dry snow slab quasi-brittle fracture initiation and verification from field tests‘ Journal of Geophysical Research 114 (F01022) DOI 10.1029/2007JF000913

MCCLUNG, D.M. 2009 ‘Dimensions of dry snow slab avalanches from field measurements‘ Journal of Geophysical Research 114(F01006) DOI 10.1029/2007JF000941

BORSTAD, C.P. and MCCLUNG, D.M. 2009 ‘Size effect in dry snow slab tensile fracture‘ in Proceedings, 12th International Conference on Fracture (Ottawa, Ontario Canada, 12-17 July 2009)