Item: GAINING STANDARDIZED INSIGHTS INTO SNOWPACK WITH A SNOW MICROSCOPE
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Title: GAINING STANDARDIZED INSIGHTS INTO SNOWPACK WITH A SNOW MICROSCOPE
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2024, Tromsø, Norway
Authors:
- Albert Loichinger [ Univerisity of Applied Science Eastern Switzerland, Rapperswil, Switzerland ]
- Jonas Romer [ 1Univerisity of Applied Science Eastern Switzerland, Rapperswil, Switzerland ]
Date: 2024-09-23
Abstract: The assessment of snow pack is crucial for avalanche research. A central aspect of this research involves the manual creation and analysis of snow profiles in the field, with the documentation of crystal forms and sizes being a fundamental parameter. The current manual profiling method is time-consuming and susceptible to subjective influences, leading to limitations in the systematization and comparability of results. The aim of this work is to develop a concept for the automated optical capture of the snowpack structure, including the depiction of snow crystals at various stages of transformation, known as metamorphosis. By eliminating subjective influences, the goal is to systematically simplify and improve comparability and evaluation. The system includes an image processing system with a CCD-Camera, a fixed-focus lens, and controllable LED-lights, managed by image processing software, as well as a housing and a floating guide for the snowpack. Characterisation is carried out using two different images. A regular image is supplemented with a structural image created using the ”photometric stereo” technique. The controllable illumination enables the creation of optimised images. Field and laboratory tests have successfully demonstrated that different crystal forms can be characterised. The concept offers potential and significantly facilitates data collection for avalanche forecasting. Profiling can be fully automated through the use of autonomous systems and appropriate evaluations. This opens up the possibility of making the process more efficient and objective, representing a significant advancement in avalanche forecasting.
Object ID: ISSW2024_P8.17.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Jonas Romer
Keywords: snow pack, snow profile, image, standardized method, avalanche research
Page Number(s): 1154 - 1157
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