Changes in the Structure of the Snow Cover of Hansbreen (S Spitsbergen) Derived from Repeated High-Frequency Radio-Echo Sounding

This paper explores the potential of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) monitoring for an advanced understanding snow cover processes and structure. For this purpose, study uses Hansbreen (SW Spitsbergen) records that are among longest most comprehensive snow-cover GPR available on Svalbard. While depth (HS) is frequently only feature derived from high-frequency radio-echo sounding (RES), also offers analysis physical characteristics (grain shape, size, hardness, density) We demonstrate that, based data (800 MHz) a single pit, it possible to extrapolate detailed features accumulation area. Field studies (snow pits RES) were conducted at end selected seasons in period 2008–2019, under dry conditions HS close maximum. The shows although structure varies space season season, pit site can represent entire center line zone. Numerous hard layers (HLs) (up 30% column) observed reflect progressive climate change, but there no trend quantity, thickness, or percentage contribution total period. HLs with strong crystal bonds create “framework” snowpack, which reduces compaction and, consequently, ice formation slow down rate snowpack metamorphosis. extrapolation through profiling novel solution improve spatial recognition accuracy calculation water equivalent (SWE).