SNOW MEASUREMENTS WITH RADIOISOTOPES

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1961 · Wiss. u Fortschr.

OSTI ID:4800570

As is well known, precipitations do not run off immediately during the winter season, but are conserved to a considerable degree in the form of snow. However, warm air current may melt accumulated masses of snow in a very short time causing avalanches and inundations. In order to estimate the magnitude of the accumulated snow, it is necessary to measure the thickness of the snow cover. Such measurements are now being made with radioisotopes. For this purpose, a radioisotope preparation of sufficiently long life is deposited on the ground at the beginning of winter and above it on a high scaffold a radiation detecting device. The detector is connected by a cable to a central counting station. If the radioisotope is a gamma emitter, the counter will respond even at a considerable distance from the radiation source. However, this response will become weaker when the snow cover between emitter and detector is large, and the reverse is the case when the snow melts. If sufficient control stations are distributed over the area under investigation, the sudden appearance of dangerous conditions can be predicted. In similar measurements in the Austrian Alps, the arrangement of the emitter and the detector was revised so that the counting device was deposited on the ground, while the radioactive preparation was fixed above it on a long pole. A Pb screen eliminated all radiation except that radiation directly hitting the detector. (OID)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-16-027528
• OSTI ID: 4800570
• Journal Information: Wiss. u Fortschr., Journal Name: Wiss. u Fortschr. Vol. Vol: 11
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AGE
GAGES
ICE
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS OF ISOTOPES AND RADIATIONS
LEAD
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIOISOTOPES
RAIN
SHIELDING
SNOW
THICKNESS