Finally an inexpensive (compared to other solutions) idea has came along to help scientists predict landslides and avalanches, before they occur. New technology being designed and tested in the Alps is proving to be very useful in this geographic area that is exceedingly prone to having avalanches. The new technology is a camera and laser system that is set up and monitors several natural points at a single time. These points, with a laser beam sighted on them, can show when a substrate is moving and by how much. This is a giant leap in the fight against avalanches mainly due to the fact it does not require the use of artificial reflectors. Instead, natural elements such as a rock or tree can be used as the points in which the laser is locked in on. Prior, with the use of artificial reflectors, many conditional situations could tamper with the data collected. Literally something as simple as cattle grazing could accidentally deflect a reflector and thus cause huge errors in the measurements being taken. Next, probes are drilled into a land mass and measure distance, pressure and wetness of an area. Lastly, the scientists follow the pride and true method of keeping records of rainfall and snow fall in a certain area. This helps suggest when the ground has become bogged down with weight and when it has become potentially weaker. With this new technology it is possible to detect a land slide with time to evacuate, block off roads, and essentially save lives.
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| A landslide from 2007 in Doren that led to scientists looking for new methods of predicting these natural disasters. |
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110407121437.htm
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