Strong spatial variability of snow accumulation observed with helicopter-borne GPR on two adjacent Alpine glaciers

This study compares high-resolution helicopter-borne radar measurements to extensive groundbased profiling of the snow cover on Findeland Adler Glacier, Switzerland. The results demonstrate that derived accumulation values of either method are well in accordance. The spatial distribution of radar based snow depth allows a clear distinction of three zones of different accumulation characteristics: (1) The lower part of Findel Glacier shows a clear altitudinal trend while (2) the upper part has no trend in altitude but high spatial fluctuations in snow depth. (3) Adler Glacier’s accumulation characteristics are similar to zone (2). However, despite their close vicinity, accumulation on (3) is reduced by 40% compared to (2). The observed strong spatial variability emphasises the need for spatially continuous measurements for studies involving accumulation on glaciers. Finally, reasons for observed variations (e.g., preferential snow deposition and snow redistribution) are discussed. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GL026576 Posted at the Zurich Open Repository and Archive, University of Zurich ZORA URL: https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-77070 Published Version Originally published at: Machguth, H; Eisen, O; Paul, Frank; Hoelzle, Martin (2006). Strong spatial variability of snow accumulation observed with helicopter-borne GPR on two adjacent Alpine glaciers. Geophysical Research Letters, 33(13):online. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GL026576 Strong spatial variability of snow accumulation observed with helicopter-borne GPR on two adjacent Alpine glaciers H. Machguth, O. Eisen, F. Paul, and M. Hoelzle Received 12 April 2006; revised 23 May 2006; accepted 7 June 2006; published 13 July 2006. [1] This study compares high-resolution helicopter-borne radar measurements to extensive ground-based profiling of the snow cover on Findeland Adler Glacier, Switzerland. The results demonstrate that derived accumulation values of either method are well in accordance. The spatial distribution of radar based snow depth allows a clear distinction of three zones of different accumulation characteristics: (1) The lower part of Findel Glacier shows a clear altitudinal trend while (2) the upper part has no trend in altitude but high spatial fluctuations in snow depth. (3) Adler Glacier’s accumulation characteristics are similar to zone (2). However, despite their close vicinity, accumulation on (3) is reduced by 40% compared to (2). The observed strong spatial variability emphasises the need for spatially continuous measurements for studies involving accumulation on glaciers. Finally, reasons for observed variations (e.g., preferential snow deposition and snow redistribution) are discussed. Citation: Machguth, H., O. Eisen, F. Paul, and M. Hoelzle (2006), Strong spatial variability of snow accumulation observed with helicopter-borne GPR on two adjacent Alpine glaciers, Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L13503, doi:10.1029/2006GL026576.