On The Use of Tensiometers in Snow Hydrology

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Author: Colbeck, S. C.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1976
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Arctic; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000030793; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000030793

Abstract The construction and use of snow-water tensiometers is gerscribed. Water pressure at the base of a shallow, Arctic snow-pack was measured to illustrate the response of the basal layer to water percolation. Water tension above an ice layer and water flux through the ice layer were measured in glacial snow. The gravity flow theory is used to explain the close agreement between these parameters. This suggests that the ice layer has little effect on the flow field and that gravity (rather than tension gradients) controls the flow. Further work on water tensions is neegerd to igerntify the role of tension gradients in ripening and shallow snow covers.