Brief communication: Improved measurement of ice layer density in seasonal snowpacks
Tom Watts1,Nick Rutter1,Peter Toose2,Chris Derksen2,Melody Sandells3,a,and John Woodward1Tom Watts et al.Tom Watts1,Nick Rutter1,Peter Toose2,Chris Derksen2,Melody Sandells3,a,and John Woodward1
Received: 06 Oct 2015 – Discussion started: 02 Nov 2015 – Revised: 28 Jul 2016 – Accepted: 15 Aug 2016 – Published: 14 Sep 2016
Abstract. The microstructure and density of ice layers in snowpacks is poorly quantified. Here we present a new field method for measuring the density of ice layers caused by melt or rain-on-snow events. The method was used on 87 ice layer samples taken from natural and artificial ice layers in the Canadian Arctic and mid-latitudes. Mean measured ice layer density was 909 ± 28 kg m−3 with a standard deviation of 23 kg m−3, significantly higher than values typically used in the literature.
Ice layers in snowpacks introduce uncertainty in satellite-derived estimates of snow water equivalent, have ecological impacts on plants and animals, and change the thermal and vapour transport properties of the snowpack. Here we present a new field method for measuring the density of ice layers. The method was used in the Arctic and mid-latitudes; the mean measured ice layer density was significantly higher than values typically used in the literature.
Ice layers in snowpacks introduce uncertainty in satellite-derived estimates of snow water...
