Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Heldmann, J L, Marinova, M, Williams, K E, Lacelle, Denis, McKay, Christopher P, Davila, A, Pollard, W, Andersen, D T
Format: Dataset Open Access
Language:en
Published: PANGAEA 2012
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.810715
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1867169082143408128
author Heldmann, J L
Marinova, M
Williams, K E
Lacelle, Denis
McKay, Christopher P
Davila, A
Pollard, W
Andersen, D T
author_facet Heldmann, J L
Marinova, M
Williams, K E
Lacelle, Denis
McKay, Christopher P
Davila, A
Pollard, W
Andersen, D T
collection Datos científicos de ciencias marinas y ambientales
contents 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.
format Dataset Open Access
id pangaea_https___doi_org_10_1594_PANGAEA_810715
institution PANGAEA
language en
publishDate 2012
publisher PANGAEA
record_format pangaea
spellingShingle (Table 1) Moisture content of buried snowpack deposit samples from Pearse Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys
Heldmann, J L
Marinova, M
Williams, K E
Lacelle, Denis
McKay, Christopher P
Davila, A
Pollard, W
Andersen, D T
DATE/TIME; Date/time end; EXC; Excavation; International Polar Year (2007-2008); IPY; McMurdo Dry Valleys, southern Victorica Land, Antarctica; PearseValley; Sample ID; Sample type; Site; Water content, wet mass
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.
title (Table 1) Moisture content of buried snowpack deposit samples from Pearse Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys
topic DATE/TIME; Date/time end; EXC; Excavation; International Polar Year (2007-2008); IPY; McMurdo Dry Valleys, southern Victorica Land, Antarctica; PearseValley; Sample ID; Sample type; Site; Water content, wet mass
url https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.810715