Use of UAV when studying avalanche areas in the East Kazakhstan region

Abstract

When studying avalanche hazards in the mountainous regions of the East Kazakhstan Region (EKR), modern remote sensing technologies – unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) – were employed. The most common factors influencing avalanche formation include geomorphological (relief, slope aspect, and other parameters), geobotanical (landscape type), and meteorological factors (type, amount, and intensity of precipitation, wind speed, thaw conditions). This article primarily focuses on the geomorphological factor. UAVs were utilized for detailed terrain studies, recognizing relief as one of the critical factors in avalanche formation. Landscape geomorphology significantly affects snowpack stability and the occurrence of avalanches. Morphometric terrain characteristics, such as slope angle, elevation, and slope aspect, largely determine avalanche formation conditions. Snow avalanches in EKR represent a common natural phenomenon, posing risks to the local population and causing infrastructure damage in the region. Detailed digital elevation models (DEMs) of the study area are crucial for avalanche research. These DEMs can be derived from UAV-based remote sensing data, enabling accurate assessments of relief characteristics, including elevation, slopes, and slope aspects. One of the most widely used avalanche protection methods is forecasting avalanche hazards. The more detailed and precise terrain information is available, the more accurate such forecasts can be. The study resulted in the creation of high-precision DEMs, digital terrain models (DTMs), orthophotoplans, and 3D avalanche accumulation zone models. These outputs significantly improved the reliability of identifying priority sites for installing avalanche monitoring systems. Consequently, the results contribute to optimizing the placement of monitoring systems and enhancing the accuracy of avalanche hazard forecasts.