Item: Measuring Acoustic Emissions in an Avalanche Starting Zone to Monitor Snow Stability
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Title: Measuring Acoustic Emissions in an Avalanche Starting Zone to Monitor Snow Stability
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Grenoble – Chamonix Mont-Blanc - October 07-11, 2013
Authors:
- Ingrid Reiweger [ WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos, Switzerland ]
- Jürg Schweizer [ WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos, Switzerland ]
Date: 2013-10-07
Abstract: Evaluating snowpack stability still involves time-consuming and labour-intensive manual tests; in dangerous or remote areas performing such tests might not even be possible at all. In other natural, heterogeneous materials such as wood, limestone, or ice, monitoring the acoustic signals emitted by cracks forming and growing within the material has proven a valuable tool for failure prediction. In an exploratory field study we tested the acoustic emission method for monitoring snow stability and possibly predicting avalanche release. We performed several preparatory laboratory studies in order to evaluate the optimal sensor frequencies and coupling of the sensors to the snow. The resonant (30 kHz) sensors, which were coupled to thin aluminium plates with silicone and protected by a plastic housing, were placed in a potential avalanche slope close to a weak interface (old snow - storm snow) within the snow cover. We then measured acoustic emissions and seismic signals and compared those to the slope stability which was assessed by the success of avalanche control by explosives. Preliminary results are shown and discussed with respect to their practical relevance for avalanche prediction.
Object ID: ISSW13_paper_O2-14.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Unknown
Keywords: snow avalanche, avalanche release, snow stability evaluation, acoustic emission, precursor
Page Number(s): 942-944
Subjects: snowpack stability avalanche release avalanche slope
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