Basal Surface-Layer Properties in Flowing Snow

Abstract

Experiments on the behavior of the active granular layer between flowing snow and sintered basal snow were performed by laboratory simulation of the layer. Layer thickness, its velocity profile, kinematic viscosity, and shear locking stress were estimated fron low-velocity tests. Variation in these parameters over a temperature range from -5 to -18°C, for overburden pressures of 1180 and 2360 N m⁻², and for surface hardness in the range 0.4 to 4.0 N m⁻²were evaluated. Results show strong dependence between surface hardness and layer viscosity, and near linear dependence between shear locking stress and overburden pressures.