System and method for monitoring a snowpack, and use of the system

A system for monitoring a snowpack covering at least one hundred km2, the snowpack being formed from an accumulation of snow layers,

• wherein the system comprises:
• at least one device for transmitting first electromagnetic signals and first acoustic signals and recording wavefields of the transmitted first electromagnetic signals and first acoustic signals as a function of time, each device being installable at a respective device location under the snowpack;
• and
• a data processing system comprising a network interface for receiving recorded wavefields from the at least one device,
• wherein the system further comprises:
• a remotely operated aircraft comprising an electromagnetic transceiver for transmitting second electromagnetic signals and recording wavefields of the transmitted second electromagnetic signals as a function of time, the remotely operated aircraft being moveable above the snowpack to an aircraft location, and
• wherein the data processing system and the remotely operated aircraft are adapted for wirelessly transmitting recorded wavefields from the remotely operated aircraft to the data processing system.