Air Permeability as a Textural Indicator of Snow

Abstract Two air-permeability devices were developed and measurements were made to study the relationship between air permeability and structure of different snow types. Permeabilities varied both with position and direction in the snow-pack, and changed with time as metamorphic changes occurred. A...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Glaciology
Main Authors: Conway, H., Abrahamson, J.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1984
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000006171
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000006171
Description
Summary:Abstract Two air-permeability devices were developed and measurements were made to study the relationship between air permeability and structure of different snow types. Permeabilities varied both with position and direction in the snow-pack, and changed with time as metamorphic changes occurred. A marked increase of air permeability was noted as faceted crystals grew due to radiation recrystallization. In other observations, as a snow-pack densified and crystals became more rounded (destructive metamorphism) the air permeability decreased. Measurements were made of air permeability of snows that had been subjected to a creeping tensile strain, and initial tests indicated that the changes in air permeability due to strain, even to rupture, were significant, but small compared with the intrinsic variability of snow.