Spontaneous Fracture Initiation in Mountain Snow-Packs

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Authors: Lawrence, William St., Bradley, Charles
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1977
• Subjects: Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000029439; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000029439

Abstract Over the past few years an investigation has been conducted to determine the extent of seismic signals associated with avalanching snow slopes. A number of the signals recorded have been examined and classified according to their origin. One of these signals, however, is not clearly defined in terms of an observable source mechanism. To obtain information regarding the origin of this signal we have compared the results from several investigations conducted to study the seismic activity associated with glaciers. A comparative analysis of the snow and glacier signals indicates that the high-frequency signals observed in snow fields are due to internal fracture within the snow.