Journal of the Japanese Society of Snow and Ice

Snowmelt infiltration into frozen ground having different frost soil structure

Yukiyoshi IWATA, Kazunobu KUWAO, Tomoyoshi HIROTA, Shuichi HASEGAWA

2013 Volume 75 Issue 3 Pages 111-123
Published: 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 01, 2023

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5331/seppyo.75.3_111

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Field experiments were conducted during two winters to examine the influences of the frost soil structure on snowmelt infiltration at an agricultural field of volcanic ash soil in Tokachi, Hokkaido, Japan. Two experimental plots were prepared. Snow on one plot was removed to deepen the soil freezing (treatment plot ; TP). Snow on the other plot was left in its natural condition (control plot ; CP). During the first winter, frost depths were 27cm for CP and 52cm for TP. A concrete-like structure (Concrete frost) was formed throughout the frozen layers. When snow disappeared, surface ponding was observed for Concrete frost, indicating interference of snowmelt infiltration by soil freezing, irrespective of the freezing depth. During the second year, in contrast, soil to a depth of 20cm exhibited a honeycomb-like structure (Honeycomb frost), which included numerous macropores. Snowmelt water infiltrated freely to a frost depth of 22cm through the Honeycomb frost for CP. In contrast, surface ponding appeared for TP after collapse of the honeycomb structure at a shallow depth because of the interference of snowmelt infiltration by the Concrete frost that formed below 20cm depth. Results suggest that the frozen soil surface structure and deeper parts of the frozen soil structure are important to evaluate snowmelt infiltration into the frozen soil under field conditions.

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Groundwater level rise in the Ishikari Baycoastal area during the snowmelt period : Connections with snow water equivalent, total amount of snowmelt water, and accumulated precipitation

Hiroshi FUKAMI

2013 Volume 75 Issue 3 Pages 125-136
Published: 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 01, 2023

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5331/seppyo.75.3_125

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The groundwater level rise in the Ishikari Bay coastal area during the snowmelt period was analyzed using precipitation and snow depth data from a neighboring meteorological station, AMeDAS (AutomatedMeteorological Data Acquisition System). From a comparison of the variations in groundwater levels and snow depth, it was confirmed that snow cover played an important role in increasing the groundwater levels during the snowmelt period. The amount of precipitation that occurred before the snowmelt period was derived from determining the first day of snow cover and the first day of snowmelt. The amount of snow water equivalent that was present before the snowmelt period was calculated by subtracting the melting amount at the bottom of the snow cover from the calculated precipitation amount. A linear relationship was recognized between the amount of snow water equivalent and the rise in the groundwater level during the snowmelt period. The prediction of the groundwater level rise was made possible by using the amount of snow water equivalent. The total amount of snowmelt water was calculated by adding the precipitation amount during the snowmelt period to the amount of snow water equivalent, and this was also compared with the amount of groundwater level rise. A proportional relationship was recognized between these two amounts. The accumulated precipitation during the snow period was compared with the degree of groundwater level rise. It was considered that two-thirds of the accumulated precipitation during the snow period contributed to the groundwater level rise during the snowmelt period.

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Experimentalstudy of curling ─Measurements of curlratio of a curling stone ─

Taro NITTONO, Kimitaka KADOWAKI, Toshihiro KOMAGOME, Masaru TOKUMOTO, ...

2013 Volume 75 Issue 3 Pages 137-146
Published: 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 01, 2023

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5331/seppyo.75.3_137

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The amount of curl of a curling stone can be correctly described by a quantity, curl ratio, which is defined as the ratio of the curl distance and the sliding distance. Measurements of curl ratio were made by use of an actual curling stone on a curling ice sheet. We obtained positions, angles, and translational and angular velocities of the center of mass of a stone by applying the image processing technology to sequential images taken by two CCD cameras. The analyses showed that the curl ratio increased with decreasing translational velocities and with increasing angular velocities. The friction coefficient of ice decreased with increasing translational velocities, roughly with ‒0.5 power, but showed much stronger decreasing tendency at higher angular velocities.

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Reply to “comments on Identifying active glaciers in Mt. Tateyama and Mt. Tsurugi in the northern Japanese Alps, central Japan” by I. Tsuchiya

Kotaro FUKUI, Hajime IIDA

2013 Volume 75 Issue 3 Pages 147-149
Published: 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 01, 2023

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5331/seppyo.75.3_147

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