Snow accumulation studies on the Thule Peninsula, Greenland

Data from stake measurements, marker boards and pits along a 136-km trail crossing the Thule Peninsula sector of the Greenland ice sheet have been used to determine both the regional and local distribution of snow accumulation. On a regional scale, trend surfaces of mean annual accumulation can be adequately predicted from a model using distance from moisture source and elevation as independent parameters. A series of steplike or wavelike features breaks the smooth profile of the ice sheet and causes profound changes in accumulation rates on a local scale. The accumulation pattern over these features can be predicted from surface slope and departure from regional elevation. Profiles of surface and subsurface topography indicate a direct relationship between subsurface hills and steplike features but cannot be quantitatively accounted for by existing ice flow theory. Detailed accumulation studies in conjunction with a program of spirit leveling in the vicinity of Camp Century have revealed the development of a shallow valleylike feature. Within this feature accumulation rates have increased, indicating that it is the result of flow phenomena. (Author).