International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings - Montana State University Library

Item: Snow Avalanche Activity Monitoring From Space: Creating a Complete Avalanche Activity Dataset for a Norwegian Forecasting Region

• • Title: Snow Avalanche Activity Monitoring From Space: Creating a Complete Avalanche Activity Dataset for a Norwegian Forecasting Region

    Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2016 Proceedings, Breckenridge, CO, USA

    Authors:

    • Markus Eckerstorfer  [ Norut - Northern Research Institute, Tromsø, Norway ]
    • Hannah Vickers  [ Norut - Northern Research Institute, Tromsø, Norway ]
    • Eirik Malnes  [ Norut - Northern Research Institute, Tromsø, Norway ]

    Date: 2016-10-02

    Abstract: Complete and consistent avalanche activity records, critical for avalanche forecasting, are with traditional monitoring methods not achievable in an entire avalanche forecasting region. Here we present the use of radar remote sensing, utilizing freely available Sentinel-1A SAR data in detecting avalanche debris. Through a change detection method, radar images showing a change in backscatter over time, are created, where avalanche debris become detectable as they pose a localized increase in backscatter. We have manually identified over 700 avalanche debris each during two winters (2014/15 and 2015/16) in the Norwegian avalanche forecasting region 'Tamokdalen'. This unique avalanche activity dataset allowed us to study the topographical and morphological parameters of these avalanche debris, as well as the frequency of releases in over 600 avalanche paths. For operational use of this remote detection of avalanche debris, we currently develop an automatic detection algorithm. The algorithm correctly classifies nearly 70 % of the avalanche debris identified manually, which is a promising first result. With the launch of twin satellite Sentinel-1B, every location on Earth will be imaged every six days over an area of 250x150km.

    Object ID: ISSW16_O9.01.pdf

    Language of Article: English

    Presenter(s):

    Keywords: Radar remote sensing, avalanche detection, Sentinel-1A, change detection

    Page Number(s): 199-204

    Subjects: remote sensing avalanche detection Sentinel-1A

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