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Research Units Avalanches and Prevention Avalanche forecasting Warning and information systems Avalanche Dynamics, Risk Management Formation of Avalanches Protective measures Projects Avalanche Experiments Flow height sensors FMCW radars Snow mass balance

Flow height sensors

On the side of the pylon, snow height sensors have been installed. These sensors allow the avalanche flow height to be determined through contact with the moving snow mass. They consist of a series of slide-switches and piezo-switches set at intervals of 25 cm along the pole axis. They record the height of the flow up to a height of about 8.5 m. Two lines of sensors have been installed on the pylon, 1.20 m from each other, in order that a cross-correlation may be carried out to find the flow velocities. The acquisition system allows a sampling frequency of about 200 Hz. Both sensors open when the pressure reach a minimum value of about 20 kPa.

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Betty Sovilla

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