High-resolution radar measurements of snow avalanches

Two snow avalanches that occurred in the winter 2010–2011 at Vallée de la Sionne, Switzerland, are studied using a new phased array FMCW radar system with unprecedented spatial resolution. The 5.3 GHz radar penetrates through the powder cloud and reflects off the underlying denser core. Data are rec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geophysical research letters 2013-02, Vol.40 (4), p.727-731
Main Authors: Vriend, N. M., McElwaine, J. N., Sovilla, B., Keylock, C. J., Ash, M., Brennan, P. V.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Avalanches
Clouds
Doppler radar
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Finishes
imaging
phased array radar
Radar
Radar data
Rheology
Snow
snow avalanche
Snow avalanches
Surges
Tracking
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Summary:Two snow avalanches that occurred in the winter 2010–2011 at Vallée de la Sionne, Switzerland, are studied using a new phased array FMCW radar system with unprecedented spatial resolution. The 5.3 GHz radar penetrates through the powder cloud and reflects off the underlying denser core. Data are recorded at 50 Hz and have a range resolution better than 1 m over the entire avalanche track. We are able to demonstrate good agreement between the radar results and existing measurement systems that record at particular points on the avalanche track. The radar data reveal a wealth of structure in the avalanche and allow the tracking of individual fronts and surges down the slope for the first time. Key Points Validation between our radar results and existing point measurement systems High‐resolution radar allows tracking of fronts and surges from start to finish Velocity linked with topography may be used to measure rheology of snow
ISSN:0094-8276
1944-8007
DOI:10.1002/grl.50134