Measurement of snow cover depth using 100 × 100 meters sampling plot and Structure from Motion method in Adventdalen, Svalbard

Radim Stuchlík, Jan Russnák, Tomáš Plojhar, Zdeněk Stachoň

10.5817/CPR2016-2-14

We tried to verify the concept of Structure from Motion method for measuring the volume of snow cover in a grid of 100 × 100 m located in Adventdalen, Central Svalbard. As referencing method we utilized 121 depth measurements in one hectare area. Using avalanche probe a snow depth was measured in mentioned 121 nodes of the grid. We detected maximum snow depth of 2.05 m but snowless parts as well. From gathered depths’ data we geostatistically (ordinary kriging) interpolated snow surface model which we used to determine reference volume of snow at research plot (5 569 m³). As a result, we were able to calculate important metrics and analyze topography and spatial distribution of snow cover at the plot. For taking photos for Structure from Motion method, bare pole in hands with a camera mounted was used. We constructed orthomosaic of research plot.

snow depth, visual images, mapping, 100 × 100 m sampling plot, Svalbard, UAS
 

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