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Avalanche Detection Using Infra-Sound Techniques

Posted by timothy on from the three-second-warning dept.

Makarand writes "Extremely sensitive 'micro-barometers' that measure changes in air pressure caused by infra-sound waves generated by nuclear explosions are used worldwide in nuclear test-ban monitoring systems. Now this same technology is being tested in Colorado, Utah, California and Montana for detecting avalanches using infra-sound techniques and extending the coverage of forecasts. An avalanche slide in addition to being audible to people nearby also generates infra-sounds -- very low frequency sound waves far below the threshold of human hearing -- that can be detected from many kilometres away by micro-barometers. Since the speed of sound is 10 times faster than the speed of an avalanche these detectors might be able to give people enough warning in advance to take cover."

9 comments

  1. Won't help... by KDan · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...those on the slopes.

    Most die from avalanches which they themselves start. I don't see how a "beep beep beep - you've just started an avalanche under your own feet" is going to help much.

    Daniel

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    Carpe Diem
    1. Re:Won't help... by seinman · · Score: 1

      It won't, but this is Slashdot so it doesn't really matter.

    2. Re:Won't help... by cornice · · Score: 1

      I'm not sure why this was modded up as funny but then again it might be true and I just can't see it. The fact that I spent much of last night waiting in a search and rescue trailer waiting for some good friends to be brought out of a canyon after a member of their party was killed in a rather large slide might have something to do with it.

      I think KDan has a good point. Very few avalanche fatalities in the lower 48 could be prevented with this device. I do wonder about Alaska, the Himalayas the Alps or other large ranges where slides run great distances though. I have heard of avalanches that start thousands of feet above mountain travelers and even mountain villages. A warnimg of even a few seconds could save lives.

    3. Re:Won't help... by KDan · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Yeah, where the hell did that "Funny" modding come from? lol...

      Ok, I'm not denying it won't be useful in some situations, but I live in Switzerland and I go skiing a lot, and hear a lot of news about skiing and every once in a while we hear about some skiiers or snowboarders or whatever dying in an avalanche, and it's almost always one that they started. There was a few years back one which started right next to a slope and actually took out a few skiiers on a proper slope and that was big news (fair enough, you'd expect slopes to be checked for these risks and closed when the risks are too high). But the vast majority are about people who were skiing or boarding off-piste in avalanche-prone weather conditions (snowed recently, etc) and started an avalanche under their own feet.

      Now a system to protect these people from these avalanches would be well worth it. Most people who go ski on this type of off-piste are fairly aware of the risks, they just think it's worth the risk. I reckon they should popularize the James Bond inflating jackets... that could save lives :-)

      Daniel

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      Carpe Diem
    4. Re:Won't help... by cornice · · Score: 1

      I live in Salt Lake City and I also ski a lot. I primarily ski in the backcountry and I have a fair amount of experience and training associated with mountain travel and snow safety. I would agree that avalanches that catch skiers, boarders, bielers, etc. are almost always triggered by the victem (or other member of the victem's party). This would account for the majority of avalanche fatalities worldwide so I think your point is well taken.

      On the subject of off-piste skiers triggering avalanches onto on-piste skiers, I have heard of a couple situations like that here. It's a big deal here as well. It always involves a skier who has entered a closed area which makes matters even worse. Law enforcement takes this kind of thing rather seriously. Ducking a line and entering a closed area will land you in jail rather quickly here, whether you trigger an avalanche or not.

      As for the inflating jackets, I have seen in books tests with personal baloons that inflate like airbags to float the victem to the top of an avalanche. Also Black Diamond here in SLC sells the Avalung which allows the wearer to breathe air trapped within the snowpack. I've been told that both of these devices work to some degree (the Avalung especially) but the practicality is often questioned.

  2. Nuke a snow mountain by JohnFluxx · · Score: 1

    How would know if it was a nuke or avalanche or both if the devices to detect both are the same?

  3. well... by C21 · · Score: 2, Funny

    the scientists were caught on record saying, "Oh shit it's an avalanche!" before they were buried in snow.

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    this is not a sig.
  4. Hmmm.... by sigwinch · · Score: 1

    Micro changes in air density? Wonder if it can detect aliens...

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    Kuro5hin.org: where the good times never end. ;-)

  5. Audible warning by dtldl · · Score: 1

    Over a tannoy, WARNING YOU JUST STARTED AN AVALANCHE, doh we just started another one.