The measurements of snow cover volume in the area of Szrenicki Cirque

AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Mining Surveying and Environmental Engineering, KNGK Geoinformatyka, Poland

¹ Corresponding author: dominiksowinski94@gmail.com

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to determine a fast way of calculating the volume and distribution of snow mantle, which is located in wide terrain concavities in mountain areas. Our study area was so-called Szrenicki Cirque (Kocioł Szrenicki), which is the nival recess, located in Karkonosze Mountains, Poland. We analyzed modern technologies, that are designed to generate 3D-models: terrain laser scanning and close-range photogrammetry (including structure-from-motion technique). There were two major reasons for our research. First, analyzing if a structure-frommotion based software is capable of creating a 3D model of snow cover since potential tie points for adjoin pictures are scarce. The second was to establish the quality and accuracy of this model in relation to potentially more accurate terrestrial laser scanning results. An important issue was also is to estimate the fastest, simplest and least expensive methodology that can be implemented as a daily task of Karkonosze National Park workers. A proper, fast, safe and accurate method of calculating the snow cover volume would incise the safety and avalanche risk evaluation in the vicinity of Karkonosze Mountains. In addition, the developed method can be used to monitor the risk of local spring floods.