Te paper presents the results of studies aimed at investigation of the spatial and temporal variability of snow coverstructure on the basis of strength values and its variations obtained by means of the high-resolution penetrometer SnowMicroPen. Te possibilities of fast and independent from the observer identifcation of layers (including identifcation of weakened, potentially avalanche-dangerous layers) were estimated under the climatic conditions of Moscow and the Khibiny mountains. Horizontal areas with homogeneous underlying surface and vegetation were selected for the stratigraphic studies that made it possible to avoid a possible influence of slope relief and exposure from the obtained data on the spatial and temporal variability of the snow depth structure. Te analysis of the information obtained in winter seasons 2014/15 and 2016/17 allowed constructing detailed schemes of the snow cover evolution at the Moscow site as well as assessing the inter-annual and intra-seasonal variability of its structure. Afer the SnowMicroPen data were recorded in the course of the feld works carried out in winter 2015/16 on the Khibiny educational and scientifc base of the Lomonosov Moscow State University (city of Kirovsk), the 10-meter trench on the same profle was described in details, and direct data on the snow cover structure were obtained. Te strength values resulted from the above studies characterize the layers composed of crystals of various shapes and sizes, and they are considered as the frst step to methodology of operational defnition of the spatially-inhomogeneous stratigraphy and stability of snowpack without snowpit observations. Te data analysis showed high spatial and temporal variability of the structure and properties of snow cover even at a homogeneous area, usually described by a single snowpit.

Thickness, density, shearing strength, and temperature of snow on mountain slopes are considered as stochastic fields or processes. Parameters of these fields (processes) were estimated in several geographical regions. Errors of snow stability estimation are shown to be depending on the above parameters, quantity of point measurements, and the measurement technique. Errors of different methods of space and time interpretation of measurements of the snow characteristics are discussed. Results of these studies performed on slope of the Khibiny Mountains, the Altai, the Baikal Mountains, and the Caucasus are presented in the article. Monitoring of the snow cover stability on slopes and the avalanche forecasting are the most difficult actions to be carried out in areas with great spatial variability of snow. The Khibiny Mountains are first of all such area among other ones.

The results of economic assessment of debris flow risk in terms of the annual damage probability for municipalities are presented. Calculations of risk account for geophysical parameters of debris flows, such as susceptibility of the territory to debris flows, their frequency and duration of debris flow hazard period, as well as socio-economic characteristics of municipalities based on data from the Russian Federal State Statistics Service. It was found that the highest calculated values of debris flows risk (direct and total) are typical of the Republic of Buryatia and the Irkutsk region. The maximum values of total debris flows risk at the municipal level correspond to the Bodaibo and Slyudyansk (Irkutsk Region) and Tunkinsk and Kabansk (Republic of Buryatia) municipalities. The highest vulnerability to debris flows was found for Nizhneudinsk, Slyudyansky (Irkutsk Region), Zakamensk, Kurumkansk, Muysk, Okinsk, and Tunkinsk municipalities of the Siberian Federal District, where the debris flows risk amounts to 1 to 2% of the municipal gross production.