Abstract
Automated detection of snow avalanches is an important tool for avalanche forecasting and for assessing the effectiveness of avalanche control measures at bad visibility. Avalanche detection systems are usually based on infrasound, seismic, or radar signals. Within this study, we compared three different types of avalanche detection systems: one avalanche radar, one infrasound array system consisting of four infrasound sensors, and a newly developed single sensor infrasound system. A special focus is given to the new single sensor system, which is a low cost, easy to install system, originally designed for the detection of debris flows and debris floods. Within this work, we analysed how this single sensor system could be adapted to detect also snow avalanches. All three systems were installed close to a road near Ischgl (Tyrol, Austria) at the avalanche-exposed Paznaun Valley. The valley is endangered by two avalanche paths which are controlled by several avalanche towers. The radar system detected avalanches accurately and reliably but was limited to the particular avalanche path towards which the radar beam was directed. The infrasound array could detect avalanches from all surrounding avalanche paths, however, with a higher effort for installation. The newly tested single infrasound sensor system was significantly cheaper and easier to install than the other two systems. It could also detect avalanches form all directions, although without information about the direction. In summary, each of the three different systems was able to successfully detect avalanches and had its particular strengths and weaknesses, which should be considered according to the specific requirements of a particular practical application.
Highlights
The ability of immediate avalanche detection is essential for avalanche management and avalanche forecasting
It listens the detections for the radar, the infrasound array and the single sensor detection system AMM-detection
Four avalanches detected by the infrasound array have not been detected by the single sensor system and the radar could only detect the three artificial released avalanches on 26.01.2014 which were in the observed area of the radar
Summary
The ability of immediate avalanche detection is essential for avalanche management and avalanche forecasting. Since automated artificial release of avalanches with, e.g. avalanche towers is nowadays used to protect ski resorts as well as traffic infrastructure and villages, avalanche control authorities need to be able to examine the effectiveness of explosives in case of poor visibility and during the night. The single sensor system was installed directly next to the infrasound array and in the following years it was placed next to the radar system. This single infrasound sensor system was tested in the ski resort Silvretta Montafon in Vorarlberg. We put special emphasis on the single sensor system, as it is a low cost and easy to install alternative to conventional avalanche detection systems
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