Snow Stratigraphy Measured by an Active Microwave System

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Abstract
Snow stratigraphy was obtained in the laboratory and field, using a FM-CW radar system having microwave frequencies ranging from 2-8 GHz and from 6-12 GHz. A multi-layered model consisting of artificial snow such as glass beads or polystyrene plastics was used in the laboratory. In the field, the thickness of an individual layer within a snowpack was determined by analyzing the profile of responses from interfaces within the snowpacks. Large anomalies of the responses which produce misleading results, were found to have been caused mainly by multi-reflection between stratified layers as well as residual mismatch reflection in the system’s components. The physical properties of a snowpack were measured by digging a snow pit. The comparison of the microwave responses in the profile with the visual stratigraphic layering of snow was made by inserting a reflection plate between individual layers within the snowpack,

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