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| Titel |
Spatio-temporal measurements and analysis of snow depth in a rock face |
| VerfasserIn |
V. Wirz, M. Schirmer, S. Gruber, M. Lehning |
| Medientyp |
Artikel
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| Sprache |
Englisch
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| ISSN |
1994-0416
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| Digitales Dokument |
URL |
| Erschienen |
In: The Cryosphere ; 5, no. 4 ; Nr. 5, no. 4 (2011-10-21), S.893-905 |
| Datensatznummer |
250002748
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| Publikation (Nr.) |
 copernicus.org/tc-5-893-2011.pdf |
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| Zusammenfassung |
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. |
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