Item: D-SCALE VERSUS INFRASOUND: REMOTE QUANTIFICATION OF AVALANCHE SIZE
-
-
Title: D-SCALE VERSUS INFRASOUND: REMOTE QUANTIFICATION OF AVALANCHE SIZE
Proceedings: Proceedings, International Snow Science Workshop, Whistler, BC, Canada, 2026
Authors:
- Jeffrey Johnson [ Boise State University, Idaho, USA ]
- Jerry Mock [ Boise State University, Idaho, USA ] [ Snowbound Solutions, Idaho, USA ]
- Steven Clark [ Utah Department of Transportation, Utah, USA ]
- Laurie Delaney [ Utah Department of Transportation, Utah, USA ]
- Scott Havens [ Snowbound Solutions, Idaho, USA ]
- Owen Walsh [ Boise State University, Idaho, USA ]
- Gustavo Behar [ Snowbound Solutions, Idaho, USA ]
Date: 2026-09-28
Abstract: Infrasound monitoring is an established technology for detecting and mapping the progression of both triggered and natural snow avalanches and has been shown to be particularly effective in Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC) in Utah, USA. This empirical study makes use of an ensemble of hundreds of triggered dry avalanches occurring in LCC, starting in 2023, to understand the relationship between infrasonic intensity and frequency content, infrasonic signal duration, and avalanche size. Specifically, we compare size estimates, using forecaster's determination of Avalanche Destructive Force (D-Scale) to develop a scaling relationship, which accounts for distance from avalanche source to infrasound sensor location. This regression permits avalanche infrasound intensity, and signal duration, to then be used for remote quantification of avalanche size during periods of time when infrasound is collected, but direct visual observations are not possible. Furthermore, we are able to discuss the advisable maximum distances for infrasound sensor deployments in order to capture avalanches of size D1, D2, and D3.
Object ID: ISSW2026_P3.19.pdf
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15788/1790099115
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Jeffrey Johnson
Keywords: avalanche monitoring, infrasound, D-Scale, size estimation
Page Number(s): 978 - 983
-