International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings - Montana State University Library

Item: Avalanche Monitoring Using Portable Low-cost Infrasound Systems

• • Title: Avalanche Monitoring Using Portable Low-cost Infrasound Systems

    Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings 2018, Innsbruck, Austria

    Authors:

    • Sin Ming Loo  [ Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA ]
    • H.P. Marshall  [ Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA ]
    • Austin Davis  [ Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA ]
    • Mark Laverty  [ Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA ]
    • Grady Anderson  [ Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA ]
    • Ashton Durrant  [ Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA ]
    • Chris Larsen  [ Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA ]
    • Jeff B. Johnson  [ Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA ]
    • Jake F. Anderson  [ Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA ]
    • Bill Nalli  [ Utah Department of Transportation, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, USA ]
    • Mark Saurer  [ Utah Department of Transportation, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, USA ]

    Date: 2018-10-07

    Abstract: The detection and triangulation of both avalanches and controlled explosions by means of infrasound technology has been demonstrated over the past two decades [e.g. Bedard et. al, 1988; Havens et. al, 2014; Ulivieri et. al, 2012; Johnson et. al, 2018] — at present, two highway avalanche forecasting programs in the United States use this technology on a daily basis. However, the commercial system utilized by these services is no longer in production, and was prohibitively expensive for most avalanche monitoring services. To fill the need for a low-cost and easily-deployed avalanche detection system, we are developing and testing such a device. The aim of this project is to develop a general-purpose, mobile infrasound detector known as a goniometer [Pook, 2015]. This device can be used to detect seismic phenomena and the discharge of ballistic weaponry. The current implementation is a portable, compact, self-contained unit that is easily installed in virtually any environment. It utilizes four sensors arranged in a two-meter tetrahedron pattern to calculate the Direction of Arrival (DOA) of infrasound events. The design focuses on the use of off-the-shelf components for optimal cost efficiency.

    Object ID: ISSW2018_O07.2.pdf

    Language of Article: English

    Presenter(s):

    Keywords: Infrasound, avalanche detection, sensor

    Page Number(s): 594-596

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