Earth’s Cryosphere, 2018, Vol. XXII, No. 1, p. 63-81
SNOW LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC COMPLEXES
N.A. Kazakov, J.V. Gensiorovskiy, S.P. Zhiruev
Far-Eastern Geological Institute, FEB RAS, Sakhalin Branch, Laboratory of Avalanches and Debris-flow Processes, 25, Gorkogo str., Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, 693023, Russia; kazakovna@fegi.ru
The concept of snow lithostratigraphic complexes, with snow considered as a monomineral rock, has been suggested based on studies at 2530 snow pits in 1979 through 2017, in different regions of Russia (Sakhalin Island, Kuriles, Transbaikalia, Kola and Yamal peninsulas, Western and Northern Caucasus, West and East Siberia, Moscow and Arkhangelsk regions). Snow complexes with similar stratification, snow microstructure, and physical properties form in geographically dispersed regions which have similar landscape, weather, and physical conditions of snow deposition and metamorphism. The suggested classification of snow lithostratigraphic complexes includes five hierarchic levels. The degree of changes in snowpack structure and snow microstructure is described quantitatively by coefficients of secondary stratification and recrystallization. Size and shape changes in ice crystals have constant rates and are thus predictable. In most of regions in Russia, ice crystals acquire skeletal shapes (depth hoar) in 20 to 60 days after snowfall, depending on landscape.
Snow lithostratigraphic complex, snowpack structure, snow microstructure