Item: Using NIR Reflectance for Characterizing Stratigraphy and Liquid Water in Snow
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Title: Using NIR Reflectance for Characterizing Stratigraphy and Liquid Water in Snow
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2014 Proceedings, Banff, Canada
Authors:
- Jesse Dean [ Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA ]
- Hans-Peter Marshall [ Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA ]
- Eric Lutz [ Sawtooth Avalanche Center, Ketchum, ID, USA ] [ Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA ]
- Jim Christian [ AvaTech and MIT, Boston, MS, USA ]
- Brint Markle [ AvaTech and MIT, Boston, MS, USA ]
- Sam Whitmore [ AvaTech and MIT, Boston, MS, USA ]
Date: 2014-09-29
Abstract: Snow stratigraphy complicates the path liquid water takes through the snowpack, often disrupting vertical flow paths and concentrating liquid water at layer boundaries, and is therefore important for wet snow avalanches. Coincident NIR reflectance was measured with a modified SLR camera and an emitter/detector sensor pair on a probe, in addition to in-situ snow wetness, in a range of snow conditions. Near-infrared (NIR) photography provides a high resolution, two-dimensional view of snow stratigraphy and ice features, as NIR reflectance is sensitive to snow microstructure (i.e. grain size, shape) and liquid water content. The AvaTech SP Pro prototype device collects a single vertical hardness profile rapidly, but also includes a sensor that measures NIR reflectance with an emitter/detector pair. Comparison between the two independent reflectance measurements indicates valuable stratigraphic information is contained within the NIR signal from the probe, and will inform the exploration of new NIR probe sensors for better performance. In-situ liquid water content measured at 5 cm vertical resolution with a snowfork dielectric probe provides an evaluation of the sensitivity of NIR reflectance to water content in wet snow conditions during melt and rain on snow events.
Language of Article: English
Presenters:
Keywords: Near-infrared, photography, wet snow, microstructure, liquid water, snow fork
Page Number(s): 852-854
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Digital Abstract Not Available
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