Snow distribution patterns on Svalbard glaciers derived from radio-echo soundings

Abstract

Abstract:The spatial distribution of snow thickness on glaciers is driven by a set of clima− tological, meteorological, topographical and orographic conditions. This work presents re− sults of snow accumulation studies carried out from 2006 to 2009 on glaciers of different types: valley glacier, ice plateau and ice cap. In order to determine snow depth, a shallow ra− dio echo−sounding method was used. Based on the results, the following snow distribution patterns on Svalbard glaciers have been distinguished: precipitation pattern, precipita− tion−redistribution pattern, redistribution pattern and complex pattern. The precipitation pattern assumes that the snow distribution on glaciers follows the altitudinal gradient. If the accumulation gradient is significantly modified by local factors like wind erosion and redeposition, or local variability of precipitation, the accumulation pattern turns into the precipitation−redistribution pattern. In the redistribution pattern, local factors play a crucial role in the spatial variability of snow depth. The complex pattern, however, demonstrates the co−existence of different snow distribution patterns on a single glacial object (glacier/ice cap/ice field).

Snowdrift modelling for the Vestfonna ice cap, north-eastern Svalbard

“…repeated ground penetrating radar measurements carried out by Taurisano et al (2007) and Grabiec et al (2011). Both studies substantially contributed to a better understanding and a consistent idea of the spatial snow cover pattern on the two large ice caps on Nordaustlandet, Austfonna and Vestfonna.…”

“…inversion, precipitation and redistribution. At elevations below 350 m the snow accumulates in a permanent aggregation wedge (Grabiec et al, 2011;Ahlmann, 1933) 34N, WGS84). The grey shading shows the approximate edge of the ice cap.…”

“…The locations of the automatic weather stations VF-AWS (accompanied by snow-pit measurement) are denoted as green dots, and single snow-pit measurements as red dots. The radio-echo sounding profile of Grabiec et al (2011) is indicated as a blue line. Contours show the elevations of the ice cap.…”

“…A snow-depth profile that is acquired from radio-echo sounding carried out in spring 2009 by Grabiec et al (2011) serves as a basis for the validation of the modelled snow accumulation pattern (Fig. 1).…”

Ice Volume Estimates from Ground-Penetrating Radar Surveys, Wedel Jarlsberg Land Glaciers, Svalbard

“…For instance, a crossover analysis of Ariebreen ice-thickness data revealed a 3-m difference between the data from the summer 2006 and the spring 2007 surveys. Based on snow thickness measurements made on the neighboring Hansbreen in April 2008 (Grabiec et al, 2011), this thickness difference was attributed to the spring snow cover, and the thickness data were adjusted accordingly.…”