Near-surface faceted crystals formed by diurnal recrystallization: A case study of weak layer formation in the mountain snowpack and its contribution to snow avalanches

Arctic and Alpine Research

Volumn 30, Issue 2, 1998, Pages 200-204

  Birkeland, Karl W ^a,b   Johnson, Ron F ^b   Schmidt, D Scott ^a  

^a MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY   (United States)

^b Gallatin Natl Forest Avalanche Ctr   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

AVALANCHE; ICE CRYSTAL; MOUNTAIN REGION; RECRYSTALLIZATION; SNOWPACK;

EID: 0031804460     PISSN: 00040851     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.2307/1552135     Document Type: Article

References (15)

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3. Armstrong, R. L., 1985: Metamorphism in a subfreezing, seasonal snow cover: The role of thermal and vapor pressure conditions. Ph.D. dissertation, Department of Geography, University of Colorado. 175 pp.
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5. Birkeland, K. W., 1998: Terminology and predominant processes associated with the formation of weak layers of near-surface faceted crystals in the mountain snowpack. Arctic and Alpine Research, 30:193-199.
6. Birkeland, K. W., Johnson, R. F., and Schmidt, D. S., 1996: Near-surface faceted crystals: Conditions necessary for growth and contribution to avalanche formation, southwest Montana, U.S.A. Proceedings of the 1996 International Snow Science Workshop, Banff, Canada, 75-79.
7. Colbeck, S. C., 1982: Growth of faceted crystals in a snow cover. U.S. Army CRREL Report, 82-29. 18 pp.
8. Fierz, C., in press: Field observation and modelling of weak layer evolution. Annals of Glaciology.
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10. LaChapelle, E. R. and Armstrong, R. L., 1977: Temperature patterns in an alpine snow cover and their influence on snow metamorphism. U.S. Army Research Office, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research Technical Report, University of Colorado. 33 pp.
11. List, R. J., 1949: Smithsonian Meteorological Tables. 6th revised ed. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, 14(104). Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution, 350-364.
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13. Nyberg, A., 1938: Temperature measurements in an air layer very close to a snow surface. Geografiska Annaler, 16: 237-275.
14. Stratton, J., 1977: "Development of upper level temperature gradient crystals" and "Upper level temperature gradient avalanche cycle - February 1-2, 1977." Short, unpublished papers that were circulated among Utah avalanche workers in the late-1970s and 1980s by John Stratton, Snowbird Snow Safety.
15. Sturm, M. and Benson, C. S., 1997: Vapor transport, grain growth and depth-hoar development in the subarctic snow. Journal of Glaciology, 43(143): 42-59.