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Strong spatial variability of snow accumulation observed with helicopter‐borne GPR on two adjacent Alpine glaciers
Author(s) -
Machguth H.,
Eisen O.,
Paul F.,
Hoelzle M.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2006gl026576
Subject(s) - glacier , snow , ground penetrating radar , geology , altitude (triangle) , accumulation zone , spatial distribution , spatial variability , radar , physical geography , snow cover , snow line , atmospheric sciences , climatology , geomorphology , remote sensing , cryosphere , ice stream , geography , sea ice , telecommunications , statistics , geometry , mathematics , computer science
This study compares high‐resolution helicopter‐borne radar measurements to extensive ground‐based profiling of the snow cover on Findel‐ and Adler Glacier, Switzerland. The results demonstrate that derived accumulation values of either method are well in accordance. The spatial distribution of radar based snow depth allows a clear distinction of three zones of different accumulation characteristics: (1) The lower part of Findel Glacier shows a clear altitudinal trend while (2) the upper part has no trend in altitude but high spatial fluctuations in snow depth. (3) Adler Glacier's accumulation characteristics are similar to zone (2). However, despite their close vicinity, accumulation on (3) is reduced by 40% compared to (2). The observed strong spatial variability emphasises the need for spatially continuous measurements for studies involving accumulation on glaciers. Finally, reasons for observed variations (e.g., preferential snow deposition and snow redistribution) are discussed.