Item: Tracking Melt-Freeze Crust Evolution
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Title: Tracking Melt-Freeze Crust Evolution
Proceedings: Proceedings, 2012 International Snow Science Workshop, Anchorage, Alaska
Authors:
- Ryan Buhler [ Dept. of Civil Engineering, University of Calgary, AB, Canada ]
- Sascha Bellaire [ Dept. of Civil Engineering, University of Calgary, AB, Canada ]
- Bruce Jamieson [ Dept. of Civil Engineering, University of Calgary, AB, Canada ] [ Dept. of Geoscience, University of Calgary, AB, Canada ]
Date: 2012
Abstract: Melt-freeze crusts are one of the most critical layers for slab avalanche formation. These layers usually undergo complex metamorphism and associated snow cover stability may increase or decrease over time. Typical field observations are of a subjective nature and hence tracking changes to these layers can be inconsistent amongst multiple observers. In order to improve the way melt-freeze crusts are observed we present three tracking systems used over the 2011-12 winter season: a set of quantitative measurements, a simple new crust index (CI), and the use of a thermal imager. During the winter season 2011-12, six melt-freeze crusts were tracked over time with these methods in the Columbia Mountains, British Columbia, Canada. The physical properties of a melt-freeze crust can be best described using a set of quantitative measurements - shear frame, push gauge and density – but these may be operationally impractical. The crust index consists of two parts: the first part describes the bonding at the upper and lower interface of a melt-freeze crust; the second part describes the internal lamination or bonding within the crust. In addition, a thermal camera was used to measure small scale temperature gradients. This allowed us to monitor changes in the temperature gradient over time above and below melt-freeze crusts.
Object ID: issw-2012-084-091.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): unknown
Keywords: melt-freeze crust, snowpack evolution, persistent weak layer, columbia mountains, thermal imaging, crust index
Page Number(s): 84-91
Subjects: buried melt freeze crusts field observations observation data
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