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Estimation of the snow water equivalent using Muon Scattering Radiography
  • +2
  • Aitor Orio-Alonso,
  • Esteban Alonso-González,
  • Carlos Díez González,
  • Pablo Gómez-García,
  • Pablo Martinez Ruiz del Arbol
Aitor Orio-Alonso
Muon Tomography Systems S.L.
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Esteban Alonso-González
Centre d'Etudes Spatiales de la Biosphère (CESBIO) - Université de Toulouse
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Carlos Díez González
Muon Tomography Systems S.L.
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Pablo Gómez-García
Muon Tomography Systems S.L.
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Pablo Martinez Ruiz del Arbol
Instituto de Física de Cantabria, CSIC-UC

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

Despite the important hydrological and ecological implications of the snowpack, its real time monitoring remains challenging. This is particularly relevant in relation to the Snow Water Equivalent (SWE), as the available technologies which measure it, exhibit a number of limitations that difficults their operational implementation. In this work, we explore the potential of a new technology, Muon Scattering Radiography (MSR), to infer the SWE. We coupled snowpack simulations generated by the SNOWPACK model, with a muon scattering simulation program based on GEANT4. The SWE is modelled as a function of the muon scattering distributions. Predictions of the SWE along the year are provided showing a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 12 mm for 5 hour continuous measurements. We also performed laboratory measurements using ice samples, confirming the SWE estimation capabilities and the potential of the technique to operate as a SWE monitoring tool.
04 May 2023Submitted to ESS Open Archive
04 May 2023Published in ESS Open Archive