Snow creep: A new and simple observation method and first calculations

Kaltenburg-Lindau

2010

EGU2010-9767

Monographie

10655S

165697

This study is focused on the slow movement of snow on an inclined slope. The motion consists of glide on the bed surface and creep due to settlement (vertical component) and shear deformation (downhill displacement). A simple observation technique will be shown which does not destroy the snow sample. Tracer in a snow pit are used to register the movement of the snowpack. Additional data concerning the properties of each snow layer were collected. The data acquisition was performed in a desired temporal resolution and represents a point information. The procedure of calculating velocities uses the snow density of each layer, the deduced viscosity and the slope angle. Some preliminary results and the related parametrisation will be shown.