GEOL 410
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Transcript of GEOL 410
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GEOL 410
New material Near-surface facets
Photo: Ruby Mt. Helicopter Skiing
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What type of temperaturegradient is required?
For near-surface faceting
to occur?Photo: Ruby Mt. Helicopter Skiing
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For near-surface faceting tooccur we need what?
Photo: Ruby Mt. Helicopter Skiing
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Near-surface facetted grainsNear-surface facetted grainsSnow formed by near-surface vapor
pressure gradients caused by strong temp gradients
Usually form within 15cm of the surface The weakest grains form near top of layer
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An example of why near-surface facets An example of why near-surface facets are importantare important
Terminology and predominant processes associated with the Terminology and predominant processes associated with the formation of weak layers of near-surface faceted crystals in the formation of weak layers of near-surface faceted crystals in the mountain snowpack. mountain snowpack.
Birkeland, K., 1998, Arctic and Alpine Research, 30:193-199Birkeland, K., 1998, Arctic and Alpine Research, 30:193-199
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An example of why near-surface An example of why near-surface facets are importantfacets are important
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Mechanisms of near-surface facet formation
• Near-surface gradients from radiation balance • Three types of near-surface processes currently identified – have been studied over the past 25 years
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Mechanisms of near-surface facet formation
Type 1: Diurnal re-crystallization
Perhaps the most widespread process that forms near-surface facets
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Near-Surface Gradients from Radiation Balance
Diurnal Changes Strong –TG @ night followed by strong +TG @ daytime
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Conditions that Promote Near-Surface Gradients from
Radiation Balance (Diurnal Changes)
Clear cold nights following relatively warm days The cold nights promote the faceting process Faceted crystals may get a lot larger if conditions persist for several days PRODUCT: bi-directional faceted crystals
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14 HOURS OLD14 HOURS OLD
BIRKELAND,JOHNSON,SCHMIDT
24 HOURS OLD24 HOURS OLD
BIRKELAND,JOHNSON,SCHMIDT
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DIURNAL RECRYSTALLIZATIONDIURNAL RECRYSTALLIZATION
DAY
~30cm
Relatively cool
warm
SWin SWout
SWabsorbed
LWout
NIGHT
Relatively warm
cold
Fairly constant temperature (diurnal average)
LWout
{Snow cover
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Diurnal CrystallizationTemperatures below 0.3 m of spx change littleSnow surface cools and warms daily; deep pack constant tempStrong temperature gradients (>200°C/m)Temperature gradient positive during dayTemperature gradient negative during the night
Facets may be bi-directional grow toward the warm surface in the colder areas vapor flux and heat transfer from the warm area to the cold condensation on a colder crystal growth toward vapor source
Optimum conditions: Clear cold nights warmer sub-freezing days.Those clear sky nights when surface hoar does not formPersistent atmospheric high pressure ridge
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Mechanisms of near-surface facet formation
Type 2: Radiation balance
Or Radiation re-crystallizationOr Radiation re-crystallization
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Near-Surface Gradients from Radiation Balance
(Extensive LWR loss during the day)
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0° Tº C
vs TG
w TG
-1°
-21°301 300
In the wake of the cold front the skies clear, and nighttime temperatures drop to -21°C.
In this scenario, we have a 20°C degree temperature difference between the bottom of the 1 cm layer of new snow and the top.
T10 – Tgnd
HS/10 = cTG
Near-Surface Gradients from Radiation Balance
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0° Tº C
vs TG
w TG
-1°
-21°301 300
A 200°C /10 cm gradient in a 1 cm layer on the surface of the snow.
This is a very strong gradient and faceting will occur very quickly.
DF grains or rounded grains at or near the surface which are subjected to extreme temperature gradients will become faceted as well.T10 – Tgnd
HS/10 = cTG
Near-Surface Gradients from Radiation Balance
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•Usually found at high altitudesUsually found at high altitudes•Occurs in the upper few cm of the Occurs in the upper few cm of the snowpack snowpack •Southern aspects Southern aspects •Clear sunny days Clear sunny days •Short wave radiation absorbed (may melt,Short wave radiation absorbed (may melt, certainly warms) certainly warms) • Creates a strong TG in upper few cm Creates a strong TG in upper few cm •PRODUCT: faceted crystals often over a melt PRODUCT: faceted crystals often over a melt freeze crustfreeze crust
Conditions that promote faceting from extensive LWR loss during the day
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BIRKELAND,JOHNSON,SCHMIDT
24 hours old24 hours old
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Mechanisms of near-surface facet formation
Type 3: Dry snow over wet snow facetingType 3: Dry snow over wet snow faceting
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Dry snow over wet snow Dry snow over wet snow facetingfaceting
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Dry snow over wet snow Dry snow over wet snow facetingfaceting
Looks sparkly, loose, granular, small-medium sized
Feels like a granular weak layer in the snow
Grows as a result of strong TG between a buried warm/wet old surface and a cold, dry layer of new snow layer on top
Distributed by aspect and altitude Persistence ranges from days to months
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Conditions that promoteConditions that promote dry dry snow over wet snow facetingsnow over wet snow faceting
Sunny daysClear daysLow-density new snow at surfaceSubfreezing conditionsWarm precipitation events follow by
cold ones
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From Birkeland, 1998
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NSF Wrap Up• Faceting occurs when?• Facets occur where?• Is faceting good or bad?