The effect of change in thermal properties on the propagation of a periodic thermal wave: application to a snow-buried rocky outcrop

The propagation of a periodic thermal wave into snow is signifciantly altered by the presence of a shallow rock interface because of the large difference in thermal properties of the two media. The temperature distribution is modeled using classical heat conduction equations subject to a periodic diurnal or seasonal surface heat flux conditions, jump conditions at the interface, and insulating conditions in the far-field. The resuls show that during a period of atmospheric cooling the presence of a buried rocky outcrop increases the snow temperature and temperature gradients simultaneously to produce very favorable conditions for crystal growth and avalanche formation. -Authors