CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : English, M.C.; Turcotte, D.S.; Holmes, A.; Reid, B.; and Milburn, D.
Date : 2001.
Title : Snow column formation in an arctic tundra snowpack, Coppermine River basin, N.W.T.
Publication : Annual Scientific Meeting of the Canadian Geophysical Union. May 14-17, 2001, University of Ottawa, Ottawa.
Issue :
Page(s) :
Abstract
Fieldwork conducted during the spring of 2000 on Kakawi Lake basin, a small tributary basin of Yamba Lake (Coppermine River basin, NWT), revealed significant and extensive configuration of high density snow columns forming in the snowpack at the upper portion of steep east facing slopes. On west facing slopes no such formations were found though snow depth and gradient are similar. The snowpacks on both east and west hillslopes have upper contributing areas of gentle slope which receive intensive solar radiation during the initial spring period. This snow melts and drains into the steeper slope snowpack below. The eastern slope snowpack is somewhat denser than that of the west facing slope because of more pronounced exposure to prevailing winds during the winter period. Aspect plays an important role in warming the snowpacks and given radiation balances calculated from early spring it is evident that the east facing snowpack receives significantly less radiation than the western slopes. Elevated concentrations of fine grain silt and sand were observed in the western slope snowpack but not in the east slope snow. Spring meltwater flowing down the east facing slope thus enters the cooler, more dense snowpack forming high density snow columns.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology