Spatio-temporal measurements and analysis of snow depth in a rock face
Snow in rock faces plays a key role in the alpine environment for permafrost distribution, snow water storage or runoff in spring. However, a detailed assessment of snow depths in steep rock walls has never been attempted. To understand snow distribution in rock faces a high-resolution terrestrial l...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:7ba7d8c1bac44785b74a7b722ff2913b 2023-05-15T17:58:08+02:00 Spatio-temporal measurements and analysis of snow depth in a rock face V. Wirz M. Schirmer S. Gruber M. Lehning 2011-10-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-893-2011 https://doaj.org/article/7ba7d8c1bac44785b74a7b722ff2913b EN eng Copernicus Publications http://www.the-cryosphere.net/5/893/2011/tc-5-893-2011.pdf https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0416 https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0424 doi:10.5194/tc-5-893-2011 1994-0416 1994-0424 https://doaj.org/article/7ba7d8c1bac44785b74a7b722ff2913b The Cryosphere, Vol 5, Iss 4, Pp 893-905 (2011) Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 article 2011 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-893-2011 2022-12-31T08:19:18Z Snow in rock faces plays a key role in the alpine environment for permafrost distribution, snow water storage or runoff in spring. However, a detailed assessment of snow depths in steep rock walls has never been attempted. To understand snow distribution in rock faces a high-resolution terrestrial laser scanner (TLS), including a digital camera, was used to obtain interpolated snow depth (HS) data with a grid resolution of one metre. The mean HS, the snow covered area and their evolution in the rock face were compared to a neighbouring smoother catchment and a flat field station at similar elevation. Further we analyzed the patterns of HS distribution in the rock face after different weather periods and investigated the main factors contributing to those distributions. In a first step we could show that with TLS reliable information on surface data of a steep rocky surface can be obtained. In comparison to the flatter sites in the vicinity, mean HS in the rock face was lower during the entire winter, but trends of snow depth changes were similar. We observed repeating accumulation and ablation patterns in the rock face, while maximum snow depth loss always occurred at those places with maximum snow depth gain. Further analysis of the main factors contributing to the snow depth distribution in the rock face revealed terrain-wind-interaction processes to be dominant. Processes related to slope angle seem to play a role, but no simple relationship between slope angle and snow depth was found. Further analyses should involve measurements in rock faces with other characteristics and higher temporal resolutions to be able to distinguish individual processes better. Additionally, the relation of spatial and temporal distribution of snow depth to terrain – wind interactions should be tested. Article in Journal/Newspaper permafrost The Cryosphere Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles The Cryosphere 5 4 893 905 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 |
spellingShingle |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 V. Wirz M. Schirmer S. Gruber M. Lehning Spatio-temporal measurements and analysis of snow depth in a rock face |
topic_facet |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 |
description |
Snow in rock faces plays a key role in the alpine environment for permafrost distribution, snow water storage or runoff in spring. However, a detailed assessment of snow depths in steep rock walls has never been attempted. To understand snow distribution in rock faces a high-resolution terrestrial laser scanner (TLS), including a digital camera, was used to obtain interpolated snow depth (HS) data with a grid resolution of one metre. The mean HS, the snow covered area and their evolution in the rock face were compared to a neighbouring smoother catchment and a flat field station at similar elevation. Further we analyzed the patterns of HS distribution in the rock face after different weather periods and investigated the main factors contributing to those distributions. In a first step we could show that with TLS reliable information on surface data of a steep rocky surface can be obtained. In comparison to the flatter sites in the vicinity, mean HS in the rock face was lower during the entire winter, but trends of snow depth changes were similar. We observed repeating accumulation and ablation patterns in the rock face, while maximum snow depth loss always occurred at those places with maximum snow depth gain. Further analysis of the main factors contributing to the snow depth distribution in the rock face revealed terrain-wind-interaction processes to be dominant. Processes related to slope angle seem to play a role, but no simple relationship between slope angle and snow depth was found. Further analyses should involve measurements in rock faces with other characteristics and higher temporal resolutions to be able to distinguish individual processes better. Additionally, the relation of spatial and temporal distribution of snow depth to terrain – wind interactions should be tested. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
V. Wirz M. Schirmer S. Gruber M. Lehning |
author_facet |
V. Wirz M. Schirmer S. Gruber M. Lehning |
author_sort |
V. Wirz |
title |
Spatio-temporal measurements and analysis of snow depth in a rock face |
title_short |
Spatio-temporal measurements and analysis of snow depth in a rock face |
title_full |
Spatio-temporal measurements and analysis of snow depth in a rock face |
title_fullStr |
Spatio-temporal measurements and analysis of snow depth in a rock face |
title_full_unstemmed |
Spatio-temporal measurements and analysis of snow depth in a rock face |
title_sort |
spatio-temporal measurements and analysis of snow depth in a rock face |
publisher |
Copernicus Publications |
publishDate |
2011 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-893-2011 https://doaj.org/article/7ba7d8c1bac44785b74a7b722ff2913b |
genre |
permafrost The Cryosphere |
genre_facet |
permafrost The Cryosphere |
op_source |
The Cryosphere, Vol 5, Iss 4, Pp 893-905 (2011) |
op_relation |
http://www.the-cryosphere.net/5/893/2011/tc-5-893-2011.pdf https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0416 https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0424 doi:10.5194/tc-5-893-2011 1994-0416 1994-0424 https://doaj.org/article/7ba7d8c1bac44785b74a7b722ff2913b |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-893-2011 |
container_title |
The Cryosphere |
container_volume |
5 |
container_issue |
4 |
container_start_page |
893 |
op_container_end_page |
905 |
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1766166682435321856 |