The Effect of Accumulation on Temperatures within A Snowfield

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Author: Benfield, A. E.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1953
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000025429; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000025429

Abstract The wave of cold temperature, which begins to propagate into a snow field during the winter, may be considerably enhanced by the thermal blanketing of snow accumulating on the surface. This effect is discussed theoretically by means of calculations based on the mathematical theory of the conduction of heat in solids. The results of these calculations show that for an assumed steady velocity of accumulation at the rate of 4 meters/year or 8 meters/year, the winter cold wave should assume significantly larger proportions than in the absence of accumulation.