An Antarctic snow temperature profile analysis

Abstract

Snow pack temperatures were measured in the wall of a Snow pit at 77048.423'S 166059.003'E on the Ross Ice Shelf, Anta,tTtica, over a period of 98.5 hours. The spam%se nature of the data set collected makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions. It appears that there is a warm layer at around 60—70cm depth, just above a region of harder, colder snow. The progression of the diurnal thermal wave through the snow pack is difficult to see, pussibly as a result of thermal energy passing through the pit wall. Recommendations are made for enhancing future studies of this type. Snow pack temperatures were measured in the wall of a Snow pit at 77048.423'S 166059.003'E on the Ross Ice Shelf, Anta,tTtica, over a period of 98.5 hours. The spam%se nature of the data set collected makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions. It appears that there is a warm layer at around 60—70cm depth, just above a region of harder, colder snow. The progression of the diurnal thermal wave through the snow pack is difficult to see, pussibly as a result of thermal energy passing through the pit wall. Recommendations are made for enhancing future studies of this type.