The information content of terrestial LIDAR images with respect to different snow cover processes

The application of terrestrial LIDAR measurements allows for a deeper investigation of different snow processes. We have used an OPTECH LR with a range of 3 km at Zugspitzplatt (Germany) for intensive field measurements. We have received 4 images in the accumulation period and 5 images in the ablation period. Each of the images covers an area of about 3km². The original results show a very heterogeneous pattern if two images are compared. Hence, a principle component analysis was done for detecting key processes which are steering the snow depth distribution in the area. It could be shown that the influencing processes are different in the accumulation and the ablation period. Furthermore, a scaling study was done for testing on which scale the different processes are occurring.