Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences
Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences
NHESS
Articles | Volume 25, issue 4
Articles | Volume 25, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-1315-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Special issue:
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-1315-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 25, issue 4
Research article
 | Highlight paper
 | 
03 Apr 2025
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 03 Apr 2025

Monitoring snow depth variations in an avalanche release area using low-cost lidar and optical sensors

Pia Ruttner, Annelies Voordendag, Thierry Hartmann, Julia Glaus, Andreas Wieser, and Yves Bühler

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Editorial statement
This paper demonstrates a significant technological advance, from measurements of snow depth at a point at high temporal resolution, to mapping snow depth at the 100m scale with high temporal resolution. It has important applications in snow hydrology, snow avalanche research, and climate monitoring. The approach and design are described in detail and will be useful for other researchers looking to apply this approach. The paper is clear and well written, with important details included.
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Short summary
Snow depth variations caused by wind are an important factor in avalanche danger, but detailed and up-to-date information is rarely available. We propose a monitoring system, using lidar and optical sensors, to measure the snow depth distribution at high spatial and temporal resolution. First results show that we can quantify snow depth changes with an accuracy on the low decimeter level, or better, and can identify events such as avalanches or displacement of snow during periods of strong winds.
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