Item: Analysis of the spatio-temporal development of snow surface wetness in a high alpine area using terrestrial laser scanning reflectivity
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Title: Analysis of the spatio-temporal development of snow surface wetness in a high alpine area using terrestrial laser scanning reflectivity
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings 2018, Innsbruck, Austria
Authors:
- Katharina Knoebl [ Department of Geography and Regional Research, University of Vienna, Austria ] [ alpS GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria ]
- Paul Schattan [ alpS GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria ] [ Department of Geography, University of Innsbruck, Austria ]
- Christine Fey [ TIWAG Tiroler Wasserkraft AG, Innsbruck, Austria ]
- Volker Wichmann [ LASERDATA GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria ]
Date: 2018-10-07
Abstract: One indicator that provides information about the state of snow melting and snow pack stability is the liquid water content (LWC); however, it remains a challenge to measure LWC over large areas with current methods. The major aim of this study is to build a basis for more efficient snow wetness analysis using Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) reflectivity data. The combination of TLS 3D locational data with snow reflectivity information on a hyper-temporal scale provides a tool for non-destructive LWC measurement and change detection on avalanche prone slopes and over a larger spatial scale. Fieldwork consisted of concurrent TLS acquisitions (Riegl VZ-4000 and VZ-6000) and in situ snow samples along a transect at Lake Weisssee within the Kaunertal Glacier Ski Resort, Austria (2500 m a.s.l.). A Denoth meter was used for in situ LWC measurements. It was found that TLS reflectivity data could be used to map wet snow areas based on the different spectral reflectivity. In situ LWC samples correlate well with TLS reflectivity. Reflectivity at the snow surface decreases diurnally and seasonally from March to May because of increasing LWC. Furthermore, results show that the TLS VZ-4000 (operating at NIR λ 1550 nm) is capable to record moderately wet snow surfaces; thus, widely applicable for research and practitioners because its operating wavelength is eye safe.
Object ID: ISSW2018_O04.4.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s):
Keywords: Terrestrial laser scanning, snow surface, reflectivity, liquid water content.
Page Number(s): 313-317
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