Changes in the Structure of the Snow Cover of Hansbreen (S Spitsbergen) Derived from Repeated High-Frequency Radio-Echo Sounding
This paper explores the potential of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) monitoring for an advanced understanding of snow cover processes and structure. For this purpose, the study uses the Hansbreen (SW Spitsbergen) records that are among the longest and the most comprehensive snow-cover GPR monitoring...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Remote Sensing |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/15/1/189 |
| _version_ | 1797431266336833536 |
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| author | Kamil Kachniarz Mariusz Grabiec Dariusz Ignatiuk Michał Laska Bartłomiej Luks |
| author_facet | Kamil Kachniarz Mariusz Grabiec Dariusz Ignatiuk Michał Laska Bartłomiej Luks |
| author_sort | Kamil Kachniarz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper explores the potential of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) monitoring for an advanced understanding of snow cover processes and structure. For this purpose, the study uses the Hansbreen (SW Spitsbergen) records that are among the longest and the most comprehensive snow-cover GPR monitoring records available on Svalbard. While snow depth (HS) is frequently the only feature derived from high-frequency radio-echo sounding (RES), this study also offers an analysis of the physical characteristics (grain shape, size, hardness, and density) of the snow cover structure. We demonstrate that, based on GPR data (800 MHz) and a single snow pit, it is possible to extrapolate the detailed features of snow cover to the accumulation area. Field studies (snow pits and RES) were conducted at the end of selected accumulation seasons in the period 2008–2019, under dry snow conditions and HS close to the maximum. The paper shows that although the snow cover structure varies in space and from season to season, a single snow pit site can represent the entire center line of the accumulation zone. Numerous hard layers (HLs) (up to 30% of the snow column) were observed that reflect progressive climate change, but there is no trend in quantity, thickness, or percentage contribution in total snow depth in the study period. HLs with strong crystal bonds create a “framework” in the snowpack, which reduces compaction and, consequently, the ice formation layers slow down the rate of snowpack metamorphosis. The extrapolation of snow pit data through radar profiling is a novel solution that can improve spatial recognition of snow cover characteristics and the accuracy of calculation of snow water equivalent (SWE). |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T09:41:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-27078ef9e1d84ad8b3073dcc8d7ac05f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-4292 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T09:41:26Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Remote Sensing |
| spelling | doaj.art-27078ef9e1d84ad8b3073dcc8d7ac05f2023-12-02T00:51:39ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922022-12-0115118910.3390/rs15010189Changes in the Structure of the Snow Cover of Hansbreen (S Spitsbergen) Derived from Repeated High-Frequency Radio-Echo SoundingKamil Kachniarz0Mariusz Grabiec1Dariusz Ignatiuk2Michał Laska3Bartłomiej Luks4Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bedzinska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, PolandInstitute of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bedzinska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, PolandInstitute of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bedzinska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, PolandInstitute of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bedzinska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, PolandInstitute of Geophysics Polish Academy of Sciences, Ksiecia Janusza 64, 01-452 Warszawa, PolandThis paper explores the potential of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) monitoring for an advanced understanding of snow cover processes and structure. For this purpose, the study uses the Hansbreen (SW Spitsbergen) records that are among the longest and the most comprehensive snow-cover GPR monitoring records available on Svalbard. While snow depth (HS) is frequently the only feature derived from high-frequency radio-echo sounding (RES), this study also offers an analysis of the physical characteristics (grain shape, size, hardness, and density) of the snow cover structure. We demonstrate that, based on GPR data (800 MHz) and a single snow pit, it is possible to extrapolate the detailed features of snow cover to the accumulation area. Field studies (snow pits and RES) were conducted at the end of selected accumulation seasons in the period 2008–2019, under dry snow conditions and HS close to the maximum. The paper shows that although the snow cover structure varies in space and from season to season, a single snow pit site can represent the entire center line of the accumulation zone. Numerous hard layers (HLs) (up to 30% of the snow column) were observed that reflect progressive climate change, but there is no trend in quantity, thickness, or percentage contribution in total snow depth in the study period. HLs with strong crystal bonds create a “framework” in the snowpack, which reduces compaction and, consequently, the ice formation layers slow down the rate of snowpack metamorphosis. The extrapolation of snow pit data through radar profiling is a novel solution that can improve spatial recognition of snow cover characteristics and the accuracy of calculation of snow water equivalent (SWE).https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/15/1/189glaciologysnow coverground-penetrating radar (GPR)SvalbardArctic |
| spellingShingle | Kamil Kachniarz Mariusz Grabiec Dariusz Ignatiuk Michał Laska Bartłomiej Luks Changes in the Structure of the Snow Cover of Hansbreen (S Spitsbergen) Derived from Repeated High-Frequency Radio-Echo Sounding Remote Sensing glaciology snow cover ground-penetrating radar (GPR) Svalbard Arctic |
| title | Changes in the Structure of the Snow Cover of Hansbreen (S Spitsbergen) Derived from Repeated High-Frequency Radio-Echo Sounding |
| title_full | Changes in the Structure of the Snow Cover of Hansbreen (S Spitsbergen) Derived from Repeated High-Frequency Radio-Echo Sounding |
| title_fullStr | Changes in the Structure of the Snow Cover of Hansbreen (S Spitsbergen) Derived from Repeated High-Frequency Radio-Echo Sounding |
| title_full_unstemmed | Changes in the Structure of the Snow Cover of Hansbreen (S Spitsbergen) Derived from Repeated High-Frequency Radio-Echo Sounding |
| title_short | Changes in the Structure of the Snow Cover of Hansbreen (S Spitsbergen) Derived from Repeated High-Frequency Radio-Echo Sounding |
| title_sort | changes in the structure of the snow cover of hansbreen s spitsbergen derived from repeated high frequency radio echo sounding |
| topic | glaciology snow cover ground-penetrating radar (GPR) Svalbard Arctic |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/15/1/189 |
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