I am interested in developing and extending mathematical models that describe the complete avalanche motion from initiation, on a steep slope, to run-out on a shallow slope. Many interesting features can be observed, such as the formation of shock waves (above).  The avalanche enters from the top-right at high speed and is rapidly brought to rest by a wall that is out of shot at the bottom-left side, a shock wave forms and propagates upslope at almost constant speed. As the material crosses the shock the avalanche thickness increases by a factor of twelve.  An animated version can be seen by clicking on one of the following links  (RealPlayer)   (Mpeg)  or  (Windows Media Player).

 

Publications

Gray, J.M.N.T., Wieland, M. & Hutter K. (1999). Free surface flow of cohesionless granular avalanches over complex basal topography. Proc. Roy. Soc. 445 , 1841-1874.  

Wieland, M., Gray, J.M.N.T. & Hutter K. (1999). Channelised free surface flow of cohesionless granular avalanches in a chute with shallow lateral curvature. J. Fluid. Mech. 392 , 73-100. (pdf)  

Gray J.M.N.T., Tai Y.-C. & S. Noelle (2003) Shock waves, dead-zones and particle-free regions in rapid granular free surface flows. J. Fluid Mech. 491, 161-181. (pdf)