Firn Densification: An Empirical Model

• Published in: Journal of glaciology Vol. 25; no. 93; pp. 373 - 385
• Main Authors: Herron, Michael M., Langway, Chester C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 1980
• ISSN: 0022-1430; 1727-5652
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022143000015239

Abstract An empirical model of firn densification from the surface to the zone of pore close-off has been constructed. Fundamental rate equations have been derived for the first two stages of densification. In the first stage, for densities less than 0.55 Mg m −3 , the densification rate is proportional to the mean annual accumulation times the term ( ρ i − ρ ), where ρ is the density of the snow and ρ i is the density of pure ice. The densification rate in the second stage, where 0.55 Mg m −3 < ρ < 0.8 Mg m −3 , is proportional to the square root of the accumulation rate and to ( ρ i− ρ ). Depth–density and depth–age calculations from this model are compared with observation. Model accumulation rates are within about 20% of values obtained by other techniques. It is suggested that depth intervals of constant density in some Antarctic cores may represent a synchronous event in the 1880 ’s when ten times the normal accumulation fell within a year or two.