Metamorphism of Dry Snow as a Result of Temperature Gradient and Vapor Density Differences

Abstract

A heat conduction equation for the determination of the temperature profile in a snowpack is developed. The magnitude of the temperature gradient tends to increase as the snow surface is approached, with local minima through layers of high snow density and local maxima above and below these layers. Calculations are made of the difference in vapor density in the pore and over the ice grain surfaces which border the pore. In the presence of sufficient temperature and temperature gradient, faceted crystals will develop near the top of the pore, as ice is sublimed away from the surfaces in the lower region. There will be a reduction in the percentage of rounded grains as the faceted form develops. The process is demonstrated to be enhanced at warm temperatures and large temperature gradients in low density snow.