450005 VO+UE Topics in Geodynamics (2023S)

The course will focus on high resolution/3D field measurement and mapping techniques essential for describing and analysing an Alpine landscape. To carry out the measurements, students are trained to travel safe in hazardous terrain (avalanche terrain). During the course, students will gain experience in a variety of relevant measurement techniques such as LIDAR, DGPS, SfM-photogrammetry, meteorological, glaciological and snow-related field techniques. Students will use different software packages to post-process and analyse the collected data to create a final map and other forms of data synthesis with a mass movement (avalanche) related component (risk assessment). The students will also integrate their fieldwork with an experience in monitoring avalanches using optical fibers. The students will participate in the deployment of the fiber cable in an alpine environment, the recording of the effect of a piloted explosion on the snow cover and the analysis of the recorded data using an open-access software running on a dedicated Jupyter Notebook.