Sciences, Eaux & Territoires (Sep 2010)
La carte de localisation des phénomènes d'avalanche (CLPA) : enjeux et perspectives The Localization Map of Avalanche Phenomena (CLPA in French): stakes and prospects
Abstract
Après presque quarante ans d’existence, la carte de localisation des phénomènes d'avalanche (CLPA) constitue aujourd’hui un outil incontournable pour la prise en compte du risque d’avalanche dans l’aménagement et la gestion des territoires de montagne. Pour optimiser la sécurité des zones urbanisées, ce dispositif a su se rénover par une mise à jour régulière et étendue des données et l'étude de nouvelles zones, mais aussi par une meilleure diffusion auprès des opérationnels et du public concernés. Les auteurs nous rappellent ici l'évolution du fonctionnement de la CLPA et l'intérêt d'élargir la valorisation de ses données dans de nouveaux outils scientifiques.The Localization Map of Avalanche Phenomena (CLPA in French) was created in 1971 as a response to the deadly avalanche occurred in Val d’Isère (February 1970, 39 persons killed). The aim is to inventory and to memorize areas where avalanches occurred in the past in order to keep in memory precisely greatest limits of those avalanches. The CLPA was rapidly considered as an essential element for developing plan in mountain areas. After the other catastrophic avalanche, which occurred in the Montroc Village (Chamonix) in February 1999, it was recommended “the mutual valuation of the EPA and the CLPA integrated into an information system containing the information on avalanches and the information on the other natural risks in mountain”. The ministry in charge of environment decided therefore to continue and to modernize the CLPA, mission that was assigned to the Cemagref with the ONF collaboration. This modernization was based on the end of maps and testimonies records digitizing, on the compilation of summary notes concerning main avalanches information in reference to a mountain massif, on the institution of a durable updating of the map and on the possibility of having all information on line on the website www.avalanches.fr. Information recorded in the data-base is really important for research. Now the Cemagref want to capitalize on it with numerical models and calibrated tools. Specific parameters could be used in order to develop statistical laws which could be used for not well-known sites so.
