Imaging Spectroscopy as a Tool in Snow and Avalanche Research
Contact Persons
Keywords
Spatial variability of snow parameters, avalanche detection and mapping
Abstract
Snow-avalanches are relatively rare events but cause more causalities than any other natural hazard in Switzerland. The snowpack as base for avalanche events is highly variable in the spatial and temporal dimension (Schweizer et al. 2008). Therefore punctual and isolated measurements as usually carried out today are only able to capture fragmentary information. Remote sensing instruments are able to acquire data continuously over large areas and can therefore be a valuable complement to the existing in situ measurements.
In collaboration with the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Leica Geosystems and the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo, we investigate the potential of spatially high resolved remote sensing instruments for automated detection and mapping of recent avalanche deposits. Such information is essential for avalanche forecasting, safety assessments for roads and ski resorts, veri?cation of warning products, as well as for hazard mapping and avalanche model validation/calibration (Bühler et al. 2009).
Furthermore, we focus on the assessment of the spatial and temporal variability of critical snow surface parameters in the Alpine area such as surface roughness, grain size and free water content using airborne and spaceborne optical remote sensing instruments.
Bühler, Y., Hüni, A., Christen, M., Meister, R., & Kellenberger, T. (2009). Automated detection and mapping of avalanche deposits using airborne optical remote sensing data. Cold Regions Science and Technology, doi:10.1016/j.coldregions.2009.02.007
Schweizer, J., Kronholm, K., Jamieson, J.B., & Birkeland, K.W. (2008). Review of spatial variability of snowpack properties and its importance for avalanche formation. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 51, 253-272