By Eli Woodard
Professor Hans-Peter Marshall, leading the Cryosphere Geophysics and Remote Sensing (CryoGARS) project within the Department of Geosciences, is at the forefront of utilizing artificial intelligence for snow water resource monitoring. Globally, over one-sixth of the population relies on water stored as snow, with seasonal snow accounting for more than 70% of water resources in the Western U.S. Traditional monitoring methods are limited, but microwave radar techniques present a groundbreaking solution. These techniques are impervious to cloud cover, functional during nighttime, and capable of mapping the globe at 500 m resolution on a weekly basis or better.
AI plays a crucial role in estimating snow mass and volume through radar observations at diverse frequencies and polarizations. This advanced approach not only predicts the amount of water stored in snow but also discerns the most significant components of radar observations across various snow conditions. The initial phase of this project, spanning from 2017 to 2020, received support from NASA’s SnowEx program.
In 2023, Dr. Marshall’s pioneering work was further recognized with a $1.5M grant from the U.S. Department of Defense for a project titled, “Climate and natural hazards, snow-covered and mountain environment sensing research.” This new phase aims to enhance the Borah high-performance computing (HPC) system with sophisticated software for creating 3D models. A key innovation involves using AI to seamlessly integrate satellite images, thereby enabling more detailed environmental models. This research not only advances scientific understanding but also has significant implications for managing crucial water resources in snow-dependent regions.
For detailed insights into these groundbreaking projects or to discover how Research Computing at Boise State University can assist your project, contact researchcomputing@boisestate.edu.