Geomorphic and Ecological Impacts of Avalanche Disturbances in Glacier National Park, Montana

Avalanche events play an important role in mountain ecosystems by shaping the landscape and influencing the alpine environment. From creating grizzly bear habitat to natural fire breaks, avalanche pathways are crucial elements in a mountain landscape. The spatial and temporal frequency of avalanche paths leave a key imprint on mountain environments as well. This study seeks to identify the spatial locations of these avalanche paths and the temporal frequencies of these paths in Glacier National Park, Montana. Using automated classification methods, we preliminarily identified which avalanche pathways to investigate, examining the geomorphic and ecologic attributes associated with the avalanche events. Initial vegetation trends were calculated over time within the identified chutes. Correlating the geomorphic constraints of the avalanche pathways in Glacier National Park with vegetation recovery patterns allows for a greater understanding of the mountain landscape evolution within the area. Further analysis and identification of these geomorphic and ecologic trends will create a proxy for determining the ecological impacts of avalanche events