Snow Crystals Observed at Mauna Loa

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Author: Nakaya, Ukichiro
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1959
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000017056; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000017056

Abstract The expedition to Mauna Loa in Hawaii was undertaken in the winter of 1956–57 in order to study the nature of snow crystals in the district where the fewest aerosol particles are present. 170 photomicrographs of snow crystals were taken at the summit—13,450 ft. (4000 m.). The varieties of snow crystals were abundant and almost all types hitherto known were observed. The characteristic of the snowfall was the abrupt transition of one type to the other. Many single needles were observed, which were very rare in Hokkaido. Two new types were found; one was a needle composed of many hexagonal columns, and the other an elongated column which is the intermediate state of needle and column. Several photographs were obtained which show the mechanism of formation of ice pellets.