| Data Tables, Images, and Other Entities: |
| Data Table: | Units_and_Column_Descriptions
View Table Metadata
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Short Name: | glsnwdns |
| Online Distribution Info: |
| Schema Name: | http://www.mcmlter.org/queries/glacier_results.jsp |
| Description: |
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You can build your own query for to retrieve Snow density for all glaciers using the URL
http://www.mcmlter.org/queries/glacier_results.jsp and the described parameters below, or you can just
visit the URL http://www.mcmlter.org/queries/glacier_queries.jsp and simply use the online form to build your
own glacier query for all the availabe glaciers and parameters (ie. average stake height, stake height, snow depth,
snow and ice mass changes, snow density, mass balance summary). Using the form is the easiest method.
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Here is an example to query for snow density from December 1998 to
January 2000 on Taylor Glacier:
http://www.mcmlter.org/queries/glacier_results.jsp?begDate=12/01/1998&endDate=01/01/2000&metStation=TAY&dataType=SNWDNS
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variable (dataType) abbreviations for glacier data:
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AVGLSTK (Average Stake Height)
GLSNDPT (Snow Depths)
GLSTKHT (Stake Heights)
MSCHNG (Snow and Ice Mass Changes)
SNWDNS (Snow Densities)
WEQ (Mass Balance Summary)
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| begDate: |
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| Desired begin date for the data, use format MM/DD/YYYY |
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| endDate: |
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| Desired End Date for the data query |
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| metStation: |
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| This is the shorthand code for the name of the glacier, as follows: Canada=CAN, Commonwealth=COM, Howard=HOW,
Taylor=TAY (Snow density is NOT measured on the Suess or Hughes glaciers) |
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| dataType: |
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| variable abbreviation for the parameter of interest, such as snow and ice mass changes, or mass balance summaries.
For a list of the used abbreviations, see the abbreviation section above |
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| Data Set Owner(s): |
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Individual: | Andrew Fountain |
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Address: |
| Department of Geology, |
| 17 Cramer Hall, |
| 1721 SW Broadway, |
| Portland State University , |
| Portland, OR 97207-0751
USA |
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Phone:
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Email Address:
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| Metadata Provider(s): |
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Organization: | McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER |
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Address: |
| Byrd Polar Research Center , |
| 108 Scott Hall, |
| 1090 Carmack Rd, |
| Columbus, OH 43210-1002 USA |
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Phone:
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Phone:
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Email Address:
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| Associated Party: |
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Individual: | Hassan Basagic |
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Address: |
| Department of Geology, |
| Portland State University , |
| Portland, OR 97207-0751
USA |
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Email Address:
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Role:
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| Abstract: |
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As part of the Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) project in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of
Antarctica, a systematic sampling program has been undertaken to monitor mass balance and meltwater
flow from the Taylor Valley glaciers. This dataset contains snow density measurements determined at
each stake with snow present on the glaciers of Taylor Valley. Included here for each stake are the snow
thickness and density for each layer and the average density for each pit.
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| Keywords: |
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- glacier
(theme)
- snow density
(theme)
- Antarctica
(theme)
- McMurdo Dry Valleys
(theme)
- dry valleys
(theme)
- mass
(theme)
- thickness
(theme)
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| Additional Information: |
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| A Note about measurement timing |
The goal of each summer season is to take measurements in early spring (Oct/Nov) and
late summer (late January). This provides a measure of seasonal winter/summer changes of glacier mass.
In some circumstances we have the opportunity or need to measure the glaciers in mid-season (Dec).
View the dates the measurements were made at the following URL: http://www.mcmlter.org/data/glaciers/timing/snowdates.pdf
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| A Note about Stake names |
A stake with an H or V indicates a stake along the ice cliff that forms the boundary of the
glacier terminus. An H is a horizontal stake placed into the vertical wall of the glacier terminus, and V
is a stake placed into the ice apron at the base of the ice cliff. The vertical stakes were installed to
support the horizontal stakes and provide a nearby measure of ablation for a surface with a much
different slope.
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| Additional Notes |
Data contained in these files has been subjected to quality control standards
imposed by the investigator. The user of this data should be aware that, while efforts have
been taken to ensure that these data are of the highest quality, there is no guarantee of
perfection for the data contained herein and the possibility of errors exists. If you
encounter questionable data, please contact the MCM LTER data manager so that the
data can be corrected or qualified. Thus, these data may be modified
and future data will be appended.
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| License and Usage Rights: |
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| MCM LTER data may be used freely with the following restrictions: |
The Principal Investigator be sent a notice stating reasons for acquiring any data and a description of the publication intentions.
The Principal Investigator of the data set be sent a copy of the report or manuscript prior to submission and be adequately cited in any resultant publications.
A copy of any resultant publications should be sent to the McMurdo data manager and principal investigator.
The end-user follow the guidelines set forth in the LTER Network Data Access Policy, Data Access Requirements, and General Data Use Agreement found at http://www.mcmlter.org/data_guidelines.htm
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| Geographic Coverage: |
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Geographic Description: | Data was collected from the Canada, Commonwealth, Howard, and Taylor glaciers, located in the
Taylor Valley of Antarctica. Specific latitudes, longitudes, and elevations of the stakes from which information was
gathered can be found in the glacier stake locations file.
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Bounding Coordinates:
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| West: | 162 degrees
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| East: | 163.6 degrees
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| North: | -77.2 degrees
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| South: | -77.8 degrees
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Mimimum Altitude: | 0 meter |
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Maximum Altitude: | 2000 meter |
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| Temporal Coverage: |
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Begin:
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End:
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| Maintenance: |
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Description:
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Data for the glacier snow densities was submitted by Andrew G. Fountain to the data manager in
August, 1997. The column showing "file name" identifies the original file containing that record.
These are ascii text files and can be found on the PC in the McMurdo LTER data manager's office
at INSTAAR. Once submitted to INSTAAR, the data manager used Microsoft Excel and Access
software to produce files that were in more of a relational mode.
In March, 2000, Thomas Nylen submitted data from the 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons.
Instead of lumping all of the snow density values for each glacier under one file, they were
separated into files for each glacier. Metadata fields were also completed at this time.
In April, 2000, Denise Steigerwald added fields for dataset code and glstkid. Dataset code would allow
the data to be linked to the metadata in a relational database. Glstkid is a code that ties stake records
to points on a GIS base map being developed by Michael Prentice at the University of New Hampshire.
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Frequency:
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| Contact: |
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Organization: | McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER |
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Position: | Data Manager |
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Address: |
| Byrd Polar Research Center , |
| 108 Scott Hall, |
| 1090 Carmack Rd, |
| Columbus, OH 43210-1002 USA |
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Email Address:
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| Publisher: |
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Organization: | McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER |
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Address: |
| Byrd Polar Research Center , |
| 108 Scott Hall, |
| 1090 Carmack Rd, |
| Columbus, OH 43210-1002 USA |
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Phone:
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| Methods Info: |
| Step 1: |
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Description:
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The average snowpack density is determined by digging a snowpit
near each of the stakes that has any amount of snow present on the surface.
The snowpit is dug to the surface of the ice for stakes in the ablation zone and
to depth of the previous year's snow surface in the accumulation zone. The
different layers in the snowpit are identified in the field. The thickness of each
layer is measured and a sample is collected using a 100cm3 metal sampler.
Excess snow is removed by a brush and the contents are placed in a pre-weighed
bag. The weight is measured using a spring scale.
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