Mountain cryosphere

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The Mountain Cryosphere Group is dedicated to pioneering methods for monitoring and understanding the mountain cryosphere. This involves exploiting data from optical and radar satellites with in-situ observations to improve snow and hydrological models. Our innovative methodologies, which incorporate advanced machine learning techniques, provide a deeper insight into critical cryosphere-related processes.

Snow dynamics

The Snow Dynamics Research Line is devoted to the exploration and development of innovative methodologies aimed at monitoring the snow evolution in mountainous regions. This involves using multitemporal optical and radar images as well as in situ data. Through this synergy, we are able to exploit state of the art snow models that effectively capture the spatial distribution and evolution of snow dynamics across complex terrains.

Glacier and permafrost dynamics

The focus of the Glacier and Permafrost Dynamics Research Line resides in the systematic exploration and improvement of innovative methodologies to monitor glacier and permafrost degradation in mountainous regions. This requires the definition of dedicated approaches able to exploit optical images, as well as the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) interferometry.

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Publications

The scientific publications of this research group are the following:

On the left is a snow-free surface. The satellite signal (red line) touches the ground and returns to the base following a linear path. Right: the snow deflects and interacts with the signal (blue line) which, in order to return to the satellite, takes a more complex route than it would have done had it not encountered the snow (dotted red line). © Eurac Research | Fabio Dalvit

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Measurements on the ground were made by eight groups, matching the route of the Cessna aircraft. The measurements were taken at intervals of a few meters. The temperature at altitude was around -15 °C with, at times, very strong wind.© Eurac Research - Maurizio Gretter
Carlo Marin, remote sensing engineer and test manager, notes the results of the 7 measurements taken at each point. In the background Riccardo Barella measures the temperature in a small hole. The temperature is taken at two different depths 10cm and 30cm and always from the the side not hit by the sun so that the results remain as consistent as possible.© Eurac Research - Maurizio Gretter
Our researcher is using a snow weigher tube to measure snow density and snow water equivalent in Schnalstal Valley (BZ). From this type of measurements it is possible to obtain the amount of water stored as snow, and to estimate the amount of water that will then flow downstream during the snowmelt period.© Eurac Research - Peter James Zellner/Riccardo Barella
This instrument is used to measure specific surface areas and what the surface area of the granules of a given material is.© Eurac Research - Maurizio Gretter
Team
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News & Events

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Research Group Projects

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Project

Alpsnow

AlpSnow

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Mountain cryosphere Projects

Institute