Symposium subject matter

Fundamental aspects of snow and snow cover study

The symposium will consider basic aspects of the study of snow cover.

The physics of the processes responsible for the formation and existence of snow and snow cover are extremely complex. They are therefore extremely difficult to model or to characterize.

The study of the sintering and recrystallization processes taking place in snow cover, which is responsible for mass- and energy-balance of snow-covered territories, formation of glaciers, avalanche hazards, growth and destruction of ice cover on water reservoirs, etc., has a long history. Many publications describe the various processes and phenomena related to snow cover as a component of glaciological and avalanche research; however, the fundamental aspects of snow cover study are often obscured in the amount of information presented, and mainly directed to applied snow research. Moreover, instruments and methods which might verify previously-suggested theoretical constructions and mathematical models are now becoming available.

The aim of the symposium is the assessment of our current fundamental understanding of snow and snow-cover properties, evaluation of present research in those areas, as well as discussion of the prospects of its further enhancement.

The aim of the symposium is the assessment of our current fundamental understanding of snow and snow-cover properties, evaluation of present research in those areas, as well as discussion of the prospects of its further enhancement.

Topics

• Physical and chemical properties of snow and snow cover: methods of investigation;
• Mechanical properties of snow and snow cover: experimental data and results of modelling;
• Structure, texture, stratification of snow cover: instruments and methods of investigation;
• Snow metamorphism: physical and mathematical modeling of the processes taking place in snow cover;
• Snow avalanches: research, modeling, avalanche protection;
• Design and construction of buildings and structures in the snowy regions.