Snow Stratigraphy and Water Equivalence Measured With an Active Microwave System

Abstract

Abstract This paper reports on research on the relationship between the electromagnetic scattering properties and physical properties of snow-pack. An FM-CW active microwave radar system operating in the frequency range 8-12 GHz is used to scatter electromagnetic radiation from surface and subsurface stratigraphic layers in the snow-pack. The amplitude of the scattered radiation as a function of depth in the snow-pack can be correlated with such physical characteristics as density, hardness, stratigraphy, and moisture content. A direct determination of snow-pack water equivalence can be made from these observations.