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Fiches de cours
Physics and hydrology of snow
ENV-525
Enseignant(s) :
Gaume Johan Alexandre PhilippeHuwald Wolf Hendrik
Lehning Michael
Langue:
English
Summary
This course covers principles of snow physics, snow hydrology, snow-atmosphere interaction and snow modeling. It transmits sound understanding of physical processes within the snow and at its interfaces with the atmosphere and the ground, including field, laboratory, and modeling techniques.Content
- Processes of snow formation in the atmosphere
- Physical (thermal, optical, mechanical) properties of snow
- Snow accumulation, transport, redistribution
- Heat and mass transfer in snow, metamorphism
- Energy balance within snow and at its boundaries
- Processes of snow pack ablation and melt
- Snow cover variability and interaction with vegetation
- Snow cover-climate interactions at various scales
- Measurement methods and field techniques
- Snow avalanche mechanics and release processes
- Approaches of snow cover modeling
- Snow modeling using the SNOWPACK model
Keywords
Snow, glaciology, cryosphere, avalanches, hydrology, atmospheric boundary layer, environmental physics
Learning Prerequisites
Recommended courses
ENV-167, ENV-221, ENG-272
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:- Analyze a snow cover and acting physical processes
- Compute heat and mass fluxes related to snow
- Apply a detailed snow cover model (SNOWPACK)
- Formulate snow-air-ground exchange processes
- Explain the evolution of a snow cover
- Interpret a snow cover as a result of its genesis
- Perform practical field work and measurements
- Assess / Evaluate the role of snow in local and global climate
Teaching methods
Lectures, exercises (incl. computer labs), self-learning
Expected student activities
Active participation, individual work on exercises, group work where indicated
Assessment methods
40%-Exercises (including model simulations)
60%-Written exam (end of semester)
Supervision
Office hours | Yes |
Assistants | Yes |
Resources
Bibliography
Armstrong, R.L., and E. Brun, (Eds.), 2008. Snow and climate, Cambridge University Press.
Barry, R.G., and T.Y. Gan, 2011. The global cryosphere, Cambridge University Press.
DeWalle, D.R., and A. Rango, 2008. Principles of snow hydrology, Cambridge University Press.
McClung, D., and P.A. Schaerer. The avalanche handbook. The Mountaineers Books, 2006.
Selected journal articles and other text books.
Ressources en bibliothèque
- Principles of Snow Hydrology / DeWalle
- The avalanche handbook
- The global cryosphere / Barry
- Snow and climate / Armstrong
Moodle Link
Dans les plans d'études
- SemestreAutomne
- Forme de l'examenPendant le semestre
- Crédits
4 - Matière examinée
Physics and hydrology of snow - Cours
2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines - Exercices
1 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Semestre
- SemestreAutomne
- Forme de l'examenPendant le semestre
- Crédits
4 - Matière examinée
Physics and hydrology of snow - Cours
2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines - Exercices
1 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Semestre
- SemestreAutomne
- Forme de l'examenPendant le semestre
- Crédits
4 - Matière examinée
Physics and hydrology of snow - Cours
2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines - Exercices
1 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Semestre
Semaine de référence
Lu | Ma | Me | Je | Ve | |
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8-9 | |||||
9-10 | |||||
10-11 | |||||
11-12 | |||||
12-13 | |||||
13-14 | |||||
14-15 | |||||
15-16 | |||||
16-17 | |||||
17-18 | |||||
18-19 | |||||
19-20 | |||||
20-21 | |||||
21-22 |
En construction
Cours
Exercice, TP
Projet, autre
légende
- Semestre d'automne
- Session d'hiver
- Semestre de printemps
- Session d'été
- Cours en français
- Cours en anglais
- Cours en allemand