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https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3189
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3189
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Preprints
12 Jun 2026
 | 12 Jun 2026
Status: this preprint is open for discussion and under review for Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences (NHESS).

Brief communication: Keeping pace with human factors in avalanche decision‑making—an update to the NHESS scoping review (2023–2026)

Audun Hetland, Olav Kvåle Myksvoll, Tarjei Westerlund, Andrea Mannberg, and Rebecca Anne Hetland

Abstract. We update our NHESS scoping review of human factors in avalanche decision‑making to include 35 peer‑reviewed studies published 1 Jan 2023–13 May 2026. New work concentrates in Decision‑making strategies (9/35), with additions to Willingness to take risk (5/35), Population characteristics (4/35), Theory and Methods (5/35), Risk communication (3/35), Social factors and group decision‑making (3/35), Risk perception (2/35), and Avalanche accidents (1/35), Motivation (1/35); Avalanche education (1/35), Experience (1/35), none in Biases. Methods and sampling resemble the baseline. We recommend causal identification, behavioral linkage, and group‑level designs. Data and scripts are openly provided; this is a time‑bounded snapshot with a defined cut‑off.

How to cite. Hetland, A., Myksvoll, O. K., Westerlund, T., Mannberg, A., and Hetland, R. A.: Brief communication: Keeping pace with human factors in avalanche decision‑making—an update to the NHESS scoping review (2023–2026), EGUsphere [preprint], https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3189, 2026.
Received: 02 Jun 2026 – Discussion started: 12 Jun 2026
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Audun Hetland, Olav Kvåle Myksvoll, Tarjei Westerlund, Andrea Mannberg, and Rebecca Anne Hetland

Status: open (until 24 Jul 2026)

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Audun Hetland, Olav Kvåle Myksvoll, Tarjei Westerlund, Andrea Mannberg, and Rebecca Anne Hetland
Audun Hetland, Olav Kvåle Myksvoll, Tarjei Westerlund, Andrea Mannberg, and Rebecca Anne Hetland
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Short summary
Every year, people are caught in avalanches they themselves triggered, and most had some safety training. This study asked what research has learned about how people make decisions in avalanche terrain. We reviewed 35 recent studies and found growth concentrated in decision strategies and methods, with cognitive bias research notably absent. The findings point toward causal research designs and field-based education that meets recreationists where they actually are in the mountains.
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