SNOW ACCUMULATION ON THE ROSS ICE SHELF, 1961-64

• Main Author: Stehle,N. S.
• Other Authors: NAVAL CIVIL ENGINEERING LAB PORT HUENEME CALIF
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1964
• Subjects: (*SNOW; ARCTIC REGIONS); DRIFT; CONTROL; MEASUREMENT; TEST METHODS; WIND; WINDROWS; Arctic; McMurdo Station; Ross Ice Shelf; Ice Shelf
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/AD0453273; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=AD0453273

Polar areas are plagued with drifting snow which results in problems of logistics and maintenance. To obtain knowledge of the amount of accumulation and ablation on the Ross Ice Shelf near McMurdo Station, investigations were conducted annually from 1961 to 1964. Measurements were taken on the natural snow surface, compacted snow surfaces elevated above the natural snow surface, compacted snow surfaces depressed below the natural snow surface, and a surface level with the natural snow surface but with 18- to 20-inchhigh windrows perpendicular to the storm wind. From these measurements, it was concluded that to prevent accumulation, an area on the Ross Ice Shelf near McMurdo Station must be elevated more than 0.7 foot above the natural snow surface and must be re-elevated at least 0.4 foot each year to maintain this elevation. Windrows perpendicular to the storm wind will increase accumulation by almost 50% on a surface level with the natural snow surface. (Author)