Stratigraphy and ice grains of a 25.3m ice core from Sofiyskiy Glacier, Russian Altai Mountains, in 2001

• Published in: Bulletin of glaciological research Vol. 21; pp. 65 - 70
• Main Authors: Kameda, T, Fujii, Y, Suzuki, K, Kohno, M, Nakazawa, F, Uetake, J, Savatyugin, L M, Arkhipov, S M, Ponomarev, IA, Mikhailov, N N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: 01.01.2004
• Subjects: Russia, Siberia, Altai Mts
• ISSN: 1345-3807

This paper focuses on results of visual stratigraphy and ice grain analysis of a 25.3m ice core from Sofiyskiy Glacier, Russian Altai Mountains, recovered in July 2001. It was found that the ice core consists of firn, icy granular firn, ice layer, infiltration-recrystalization ice and infiltration ice. Infiltration ice consisted of thick ice layer with large ice grains of 5 to 10 mm and sparse air bubbles, and infiltration-recrystalization ice consisted of small ice grains of 1 to 2 mm. Volume percentages of the ice layer and infiltration ice are considered as an index of snow melting at the surface. It was also found that ice layer and infiltration ice are frequently observed at 7 m, 13.5 to 16 m, 18 to 19 m and 21.5 to 23.5m in depths, suggesting warmer summers within several years when snow/ice at present depths was near the surface taking account of percolation of melt water.