Accumulation and Temperature on The Inland Ice of North Greenland, 1959

Abstract

Twelve deep pits (5 to 5.5 m.) revealed between 6 and 13 years of snow accumulation. The results show an average net accumulation of 18.5 g./cm.² per year. Accumulation decreases inland at a mean rate of 1.5 g./cm.² per 100 m. rise in elevation. Temperature measurements at 100 m. in all pits give a mean temperature-altitude gradient of 0.77° C. per 100 m. Evidence of melt was observed in all pits, the most pronounced melt occurring in 1954. The mean density reflects the local climate. Other empirical correlations of these data show linear trends that vary systematically with surface slope and local climate.