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Using Infrasound to Detect Snow Avalanches and Inform Forecasts in Alaska

Description: 

Slab avalanches occur when an unstable mass of consolidated snow breaks away from a mountain slope. These events can damage key infrastructure such as roads, railways, and powerlines. It is expected that climate change will lead to increased avalanche activity. Avalanche forecasts, which are key to mitigating hazards, partially rely on visual observations, which cannot be made during low visibility. Infrasound observations, which work in all visibility conditions, have proven useful in the detection and characterization of avalanches in Utah and Canada. However, there is limited research using infrasound to detect and characterize avalanches in maritime snowpacks (those located near coastlines). Specific to Alaska, a need exists to effectively discriminate between earthquakes and avalanches. We deployed an infrasound network in Tutl’uh (Turnagain Arm), Alaska, USA to capture natural and triggered avalanches. This presentation will detail the deployment and discuss plans for data analysis.

SNL is managed and operated by NTESS under DOE NNSA contract DE-NA0003525.

Session: Detecting, Characterizing and Monitoring Mass Movements [Poster Session]

Type: Poster

Date: 5/2/2024

Presentation Time: 08:00 AM (local time)

Presenting Author: Sarah

Student Presenter: No

Invited Presentation: 

Authors