Item: ADVANCING AVALANCHE SAFETY: RADAR-BASED INSIGHTS INTO SNOWPACK DYNAMICS AND STRATIGRAPHY
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Title: ADVANCING AVALANCHE SAFETY: RADAR-BASED INSIGHTS INTO SNOWPACK DYNAMICS AND STRATIGRAPHY
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2024, Tromsø, Norway
Authors:
- Martin Schafferer [ Sophia Brockschmidt ] [ Bernarda Kessler ] [ Thomas Schmiedinger ]
Date: 2024-09-23
Abstract: Avalanches pose significant risks to human life and infrastructure, so understanding their mechanics is critical for effective forecasting and mitigation strategies. Knowledge of avalanche dynamics is fundamental to the development of predictive models that can save lives and protect property. Existing radar-based avalanche measurement systems, including frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar, ground penetrating radar (GPR), and ultra-wideband snow sounders (UWiBaSS), can access dormant snowpack parameters to reconstruct the structure. In addition, mmWave radar systems can measure snow suspension density. For the assessment of avalanche dynamics, artificial measuring units (AvaNodes) for in-situ measurements have been developed and tested. These systems provide insight into snow depth, density, and general avalanche flow characteristics such as volume, velocity, and direction. Despite the availability of these systems, there remains a gap in the in-depth analysis of the dynamics occurring within an avalanche. Existing approaches capture the snowpack structure in its resting state. In addition, artificial sensor systems can provide insight into avalanche behavior, but cannot measure the dynamics of the layer structure during an event. The proposed approach, using frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar, aims to fill this gap by allowing the assessment of layer dynamics within the avalanche. This novel radar-based measurement method aims to improve the accuracy of snow stratigraphy and ablation data collection and analysis, providing a more detailed view of the internal dynamics of avalanches. The development of such radar-based measurements represents a significant advance in snow science and natural hazard analysis. It highlights the importance of technical innovation in improving research results and underscores the potential of radar technologies as versatile tools in snow science. This research opens new avenues for understanding gravitational natural hazards and makes a significant contribution to the safety and management of snow-covered environments. Through a better understanding of avalanche dynamics, prediction models can be refined, leading to improved forecasts and ultimately reducing the risks avalanches pose to people and infrastructure.
Object ID: ISSW2024_P2.1.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Martin Schafferer
Keywords: stratigraphy, avalanche dynamics, radar-based measurement, measurement network
Page Number(s): 314 - 320
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