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Dec 15, 2024

How do arctic communities protect themselves from avalanches? | BBC News

BBC News - How do arctic communities protect themselves from avalanches? | BBC News

The video explores the challenges faced by Arctic communities, particularly in Longyearbyen, due to avalanches caused by heavy snowfall. It highlights the implementation of physical barriers and a technological solution to mitigate these risks. The technological solution involves an early warning system developed by a telecom firm and a university, which uses snow sensors to measure snow depth accurately. These sensors are low-cost, have long-lasting batteries, and transmit data every 10 minutes over a 4G network. This data is then analyzed to predict avalanche risks, helping emergency teams make timely evacuation decisions. The system has been effective, with no accidents reported since 2017. However, climate change is increasing the risk of avalanches, as the region is warming six times faster than the global average. The technology is also being adapted for other applications, such as measuring water volume for hydroelectric power production, demonstrating its versatility and potential for broader use in managing natural hazards.

Key Points:

  • The Arctic community of Longyearbyen faces significant avalanche risks due to heavy snowfall and steep mountains.
  • An early warning system using snow sensors and mobile technology has been implemented to predict avalanche risks.
  • The system is cost-effective, with sensors that last over 10 years on a single battery and transmit data every 10 minutes.
  • Since the implementation of this technology, no avalanche-related accidents have occurred in the area since 2017.
  • The technology is also being adapted for other uses, such as optimizing hydroelectric power production by measuring water volume.
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