Transverse instability of avalanches in granular flows down an incline
Transverse instability of avalanches in granular flows down an incline
Avalanche experiments on an erodible substrate are analyzed using the ``partial fluidization'' model of dense granular flows. The model identifies a family of propagating solitonlike avalanches with shape and velocity controlled by the inclination angle and the depth of the substrate. At high inclination angles, the solitons display a transverse …