Glacier snow depth measurements, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica (1993-2020, ongoing)

Summary

Abstract: 

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 glacial mass balance and meltwater flow. This data package includes snow depth measurements to the surface of six glaciers (Canada, Commonwealth, Hughes, Suess, Howard, and Taylor) in Taylor Valley and one glacier (Adams) in Miers Valley, all of which are located in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica. Most measurements began during the 93-94 field season. Adams measurements were established during the 14-15 field season. Measurements are ongoing except at Hughes and Suess Glaciers where monitoring ceased following the 08-09 field season. Monitoring the changes in these measurements over time provides a record of mass balance, and aids in determining the role of glaciers in the polar hydrologic cycle.

Date Range: 

October 22, 1993 to January 30, 2020
Data Citation
Gooseff, M.N., Fountain, A.G. 2022. Glacier snow depth measurements, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica (1993-2020, ongoing). Environmental Data Initiative. DOI: 10.6073/pasta/9b905def75415b8bce4e4bdd2dc2144d. Dataset accessed 28 April 2024.
Dataset(s)

Description: 

Adams Glacier - Snow Depths

Variables (click to expand): 

DATASET CODE
  • Label:
  • Definition: Code representing stake heights table
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
GLACIER
  • Label:
  • Definition: NAME OF GLACIER WHERE MEASUREMENT WAS MADE
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
STAKE
  • Label:
  • Definition: UNIQUE NUMBER FOR EACH STAKE ON GLACIER
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
STAKE_REPLCMNT
  • Label:
  • Definition: Letter corresponding to original and replacement stakes (A = original, B = first replacement, C = second replacement etc.)
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
DATE_TIME
  • Label:
  • Definition: DATE OF DATA MEASUREMENT
  • Type: Date/time
  • Date format: MM/DD/YYYY
  • Missing values: None specified
SURFACE
  • Label:
  • Definition: Surface material to which measurement is made
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_1
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_2
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_3
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_4
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_COMMENTS
  • Label:
  • Definition: Comments regarding stake height measurements
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
GLSTKID
  • Label:
  • Definition: CODE FROM GLACIER / STAKE/ DATE OF COORDINATE MEASUREMENT (TO BE USED FOR GIS MAPPING)
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
FILE NAME
  • Label:
  • Definition: RAW DATA FILE CONTAINING INFORMATION
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified

File: 

mcmlter-glac-adams-snowdpt-20220224.csv (12.87 KB)

Description: 

Canada Glacier - Snow Depths

Variables (click to expand): 

DATASET CODE
  • Label:
  • Definition: Code representing stake heights table
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
GLACIER
  • Label:
  • Definition: NAME OF GLACIER WHERE MEASUREMENT WAS MADE
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
STAKE
  • Label:
  • Definition: UNIQUE NUMBER FOR EACH STAKE ON GLACIER
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
STAKE_REPLCMNT
  • Label:
  • Definition: Letter corresponding to original and replacement stakes (A = original, B = first replacement, C = second replacement etc.)
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
DATE_TIME
  • Label:
  • Definition: DATE OF DATA MEASUREMENT
  • Type: Date/time
  • Date format: MM/DD/YYYY
  • Missing values: None specified
SURFACE
  • Label:
  • Definition: Surface material to which measurement is made
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_1
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_2
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_3
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_4
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_COMMENTS
  • Label:
  • Definition: Comments regarding stake height measurements
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
GLSTKID
  • Label:
  • Definition: CODE FROM GLACIER / STAKE/ DATE OF COORDINATE MEASUREMENT (TO BE USED FOR GIS MAPPING)
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
FILE NAME
  • Label:
  • Definition: RAW DATA FILE CONTAINING INFORMATION
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified

File: 

mcmlter-glac-canada-snowdpt-20220224.csv (155.77 KB)

Description: 

Commonwealth Glacier - Snow Depths

Variables (click to expand): 

DATASET CODE
  • Label:
  • Definition: Code representing stake heights table
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
GLACIER
  • Label:
  • Definition: NAME OF GLACIER WHERE MEASUREMENT WAS MADE
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
STAKE
  • Label:
  • Definition: UNIQUE NUMBER FOR EACH STAKE ON GLACIER
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
STAKE_REPLCMNT
  • Label:
  • Definition: Letter corresponding to original and replacement stakes (A = original, B = first replacement, C = second replacement etc.)
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
DATE_TIME
  • Label:
  • Definition: DATE OF DATA MEASUREMENT
  • Type: Date/time
  • Date format: MM/DD/YYYY
  • Missing values: None specified
SURFACE
  • Label:
  • Definition: Surface material to which measurement is made
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_1
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_2
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_3
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_4
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_COMMENTS
  • Label:
  • Definition: Comments regarding stake height measurements
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
GLSTKID
  • Label:
  • Definition: CODE FROM GLACIER / STAKE/ DATE OF COORDINATE MEASUREMENT (TO BE USED FOR GIS MAPPING)
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
FILE NAME
  • Label:
  • Definition: RAW DATA FILE CONTAINING INFORMATION
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified

File: 

mcmlter-glac-common-snowdpt-20220224.csv (93 KB)

Description: 

Howard Glacier - Snow Depths

Variables (click to expand): 

DATASET CODE
  • Label:
  • Definition: Code representing stake heights table
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
GLACIER
  • Label:
  • Definition: NAME OF GLACIER WHERE MEASUREMENT WAS MADE
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
STAKE
  • Label:
  • Definition: UNIQUE NUMBER FOR EACH STAKE ON GLACIER
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
STAKE_REPLCMNT
  • Label:
  • Definition: Letter corresponding to original and replacement stakes (A = original, B = first replacement, C = second replacement etc.)
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
DATE_TIME
  • Label:
  • Definition: DATE OF DATA MEASUREMENT
  • Type: Date/time
  • Date format: MM/DD/YYYY
  • Missing values: None specified
SURFACE
  • Label:
  • Definition: Surface material to which measurement is made
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_1
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_2
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_3
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_4
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_COMMENTS
  • Label:
  • Definition: Comments regarding stake height measurements
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
GLSTKID
  • Label:
  • Definition: CODE FROM GLACIER / STAKE/ DATE OF COORDINATE MEASUREMENT (TO BE USED FOR GIS MAPPING)
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
FILE NAME
  • Label:
  • Definition: RAW DATA FILE CONTAINING INFORMATION
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified

File: 

mcmlter-glac-howard-snowdpt-20220224.csv (73.81 KB)

Description: 

Taylor Glacier - Snow Depths

Variables (click to expand): 

DATASET CODE
  • Label:
  • Definition: Code representing stake heights table
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
GLACIER
  • Label:
  • Definition: NAME OF GLACIER WHERE MEASUREMENT WAS MADE
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
STAKE
  • Label:
  • Definition: UNIQUE NUMBER FOR EACH STAKE ON GLACIER
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
STAKE_REPLCMNT
  • Label:
  • Definition: Letter corresponding to original and replacement stakes (A = original, B = first replacement, C = second replacement etc.)
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
DATE_TIME
  • Label:
  • Definition: DATE OF DATA MEASUREMENT
  • Type: Date/time
  • Date format: MM/DD/YYYY
  • Missing values: None specified
SURFACE
  • Label:
  • Definition: Surface material to which measurement is made
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_1
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_2
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_3
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_4
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_COMMENTS
  • Label:
  • Definition: Comments regarding stake height measurements
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
GLSTKID
  • Label:
  • Definition: CODE FROM GLACIER / STAKE/ DATE OF COORDINATE MEASUREMENT (TO BE USED FOR GIS MAPPING)
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
FILE NAME
  • Label:
  • Definition: RAW DATA FILE CONTAINING INFORMATION
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified

File: 

mcmlter-glac-taylor-snowdpt-20220224.csv (74.11 KB)

Description: 

Hughes Glacier - Snow Depths

Variables (click to expand): 

DATASET CODE
  • Label:
  • Definition: Code representing stake heights table
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
GLACIER
  • Label:
  • Definition: NAME OF GLACIER WHERE MEASUREMENT WAS MADE
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
STAKE
  • Label:
  • Definition: UNIQUE NUMBER FOR EACH STAKE ON GLACIER
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
STAKE_REPLCMNT
  • Label:
  • Definition: Letter corresponding to original and replacement stakes (A = original, B = first replacement, C = second replacement etc.)
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
DATE_TIME
  • Label:
  • Definition: DATE OF DATA MEASUREMENT
  • Type: Date/time
  • Date format: MM/DD/YYYY
  • Missing values: None specified
SURFACE
  • Label:
  • Definition: Surface material to which measurement is made
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_1
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_2
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_3
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_4
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_COMMENTS
  • Label:
  • Definition: Comments regarding stake height measurements
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
GLSTKID
  • Label:
  • Definition: CODE FROM GLACIER / STAKE/ DATE OF COORDINATE MEASUREMENT (TO BE USED FOR GIS MAPPING)
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
FILE NAME
  • Label:
  • Definition: RAW DATA FILE CONTAINING INFORMATION
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified

File: 

HUGH_GLSNDPT.csv (7.16 KB)

Description: 

Suess Glacier - Snow Depths

Variables (click to expand): 

DATASET CODE
  • Label:
  • Definition: Code representing stake heights table
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
GLACIER
  • Label:
  • Definition: NAME OF GLACIER WHERE MEASUREMENT WAS MADE
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
STAKE
  • Label:
  • Definition: UNIQUE NUMBER FOR EACH STAKE ON GLACIER
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
STAKE_REPLCMNT
  • Label:
  • Definition: Letter corresponding to original and replacement stakes (A = original, B = first replacement, C = second replacement etc.)
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
DATE_TIME
  • Label:
  • Definition: DATE OF DATA MEASUREMENT
  • Type: Date/time
  • Date format: MM/DD/YYYY
  • Missing values: None specified
SURFACE
  • Label:
  • Definition: Surface material to which measurement is made
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_1
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_2
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_3
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_REP_4
  • Label:
  • Definition: Snow depth measurement (1 to 4) from bottom of board to ice surface
  • Type: Physical quantity
  • Unit: centimeter
  • Maximum: 400
  • Minimum: 0
  • Precision: 0.1
  • Missing values:
    • NULL = None given
SNOW_DEPTH_COMMENTS
  • Label:
  • Definition: Comments regarding stake height measurements
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
GLSTKID
  • Label:
  • Definition: CODE FROM GLACIER / STAKE/ DATE OF COORDINATE MEASUREMENT (TO BE USED FOR GIS MAPPING)
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified
FILE NAME
  • Label:
  • Definition: RAW DATA FILE CONTAINING INFORMATION
  • Type: Nominal
  • Missing values: None specified

File: 

SUES_GLSNDPT.csv (10.82 KB)

Short name: 

GLSNDPT

Dataset ID: 

2009
People

Principal Investigator(s): 

Michael N. Gooseff
Andrew G. Fountain

Contact: 

McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER Information Manager

Associated Personnel: 

Field Technician
Anna J. Bergstrom
Data Manager
Renée F. Brown
Former Field Crew
Adam Wlostowski
Former Field Crew
Hassan Basagic
Former Field Crew
Thomas Nylen
Former Data Manager
Inigo San Gil
Former Data Manager
Chris Gardner
Former Data Manager
Denise Steigerwald
Related
Methodology

Maintenance: 

Data for the original stake height and snow depth measurements, as well as the averages and standard deviations 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 relational mode. Information was assigned to different files according to type of data it dealt with. Separate files were generated for:
                        
                        * stake height replications,
                        * snow depth replications, and
                        * averages/standard deviations calculated from stake height and snow depth replications.
                        
   In March, 2000, Thomas Nylen submitted data from the 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons. Instead of lumping all of the stake height and snow depth values for each glacier under one file, they were separated into files for each glacier. Metadata fields were also updated 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.
                        
In addition, Denise divided the 'stake' field to 'stake' and 'stk replcmnt' values. The 'stake' value is an ID for a stake in a given location over time, while the 'stk replcmnt' value shows whether the stake is the original (A), the first replacement stake installed (B), the second stake installed (C), and so forth. (Melting on the glacier over time makes installation of replacement stakes necessary.) Since the replacement value is only relevant for the stake heights and snow depths datasets, division of the 'stake' value into separate fields made it more straightforward for grouping data across different datasets (eg. stake heights and snow densities).
 
In 2006, Chris Gardner and Inigo San Gil standardized the metadata in the EML format, redistributing it through the LTER Metadata catalog and other federal clearinghouses.  
 
In 2014, the metadata was revamped using the Drupal Ecological Information Management System (Inigo San Gil).
                    
In 2016, metadata was enhanced a bit (San Gil).

Additional information: 

 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://mcmlter.lternet.edu/data/glaciers/timing/stkdates.pdf
            
Categories

Research Section: 

LTER Core Areas: 

MCM Keywords: 

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