Snow Mechanics: Avalanche Release and Weak Layers

This lecture covers the mechanics of snow in relation to avalanche release processes, including stress, strain, elasticity, failure initiation, crack propagation, and the UCLA/Disney Snow model. It also discusses weak snowpack layers like surface hoar and depth hoar, their formation processes, and consequences for stability. Basic concepts of mechanics such as deformation, elasticity, and failure criteria are explained, along with field measurement techniques for assessing the strength of weak snow layers through stability indices and shear strength measurements.