Formation and evolution of buried snowpack deposits in Pearse Valley, Antarctica, and implications for Mars

Abstract Buried snowpack deposits are found within the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, which offers the opportunity to study these layered structures of sand and ice within a polar desert environment. Four discrete buried snowpacks are studied within Pearse Valley, Antarctica, through in situ obs...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Antarctic Science
Main Authors: Heldmann, J.L., Marinova, M., Williams, K.E., Lacelle, D., Mckay, C.P., Davila, A., Pollard, W., Andersen, D.T.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2012
Subjects:
Geology
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Oceanography
Arctic
Antarctic
The Antarctic
McMurdo Dry Valleys
Pearse Valley
Antarc*
Antarctic Science
Antarctica
polar desert
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0954102011000903
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0954102011000903
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Summary:Abstract Buried snowpack deposits are found within the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, which offers the opportunity to study these layered structures of sand and ice within a polar desert environment. Four discrete buried snowpacks are studied within Pearse Valley, Antarctica, through in situ observations, sample analyses, O-H isotope measurements and numerical modelling of snowpack stability and evolution. The buried snowpack deposits evolve throughout the year and undergo deposition, melt, refreeze, and sublimation. We demonstrate how the deposition and subsequent burial of snow can preserve the snowpacks in the Dry Valleys. The modelled lifetimes of the buried snowpacks are dependent upon subsurface stratigraphy but are typically less than one year if the lag thickness is less than c. 7 cm and snow thickness is less than c. 10 cm, indicating that some of the Antarctic buried snowpacks form annually. Buried snowpacks in the Antarctic polar desert may serve as analogues for similar deposits on Mars and may be applicable to observations of the north polar erg, buried ice at the Mars Phoenix landing site, and observations of buried ice throughout the martian Arctic. Numerical modelling suggests that seasonal snows and subsequent burial are not required to preserve the snow and ice on Mars.

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