US-Switzerland Dissertation Enhancement: The Effects of a Buried Ice Lens on Snow Microstructure

0406468史密斯美国-瑞士论文增强项目解决了埋冰层对雪的微观结构和变形的影响。 调查将在瑞士联邦雪和雪崩研究所进行，由弗里曼M。科罗拉多州立大学的史密斯和瑞士的马丁·施内贝利教授。 研究生Ethan M.格林将开发一个雪微观结构的数字模型，并进行导热性分析以及机械性能测量。 该项目利用了瑞士的专业设备，可以对雪进行三维图像重建。 这项研究本身涉及与雪崩发生有关的研究。 雪崩是由于雪的变质作用产生了软弱的雪层。 关于环境因素、造成雪崩的物理条件以及冰雪形成的实地数据有限。 通过拟议的实验室模拟，格林先生和他的导师建议模拟导致雪结构薄弱的条件，并隔离热变化对冰层和雪微观结构的影响。 这项研究将促进对雪崩原因的了解，并改进雪崩预报。 研究生将受益于他的职业生涯早期的国际经验，并与他所在领域的领先国际研究所建立联系。

0406468SmithThis U.S.-Switzerland dissertation enhancement project addresses the effects of buried ice layers on snow microstructure and metamorphosis. The investigations will be performed at the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research under joint mentorship of Freeman M. Smith of Colorado State University and Professor Martin Schneebeli of Switzerland. The graduate student, Ethan M. Greene, will develop a digital model of snow microstructure and perform analysis of thermal conductivity as well as mechanical property measurements. The project takes advantage of specialized equipment in Switzerland that allows 3-D image reconstruction of snow. The study itself addresses research related to the occurrence of avalanches. Avalanches result when snow metamorphism produces weak snow layers. Field data on environmental factors, physical conditions that cause avalanches as well as snow and ice formation are limited. Through the proposed laboratory simulations, Mr. Greene and his mentors propose to simulate the conditions leading to weaknesses in the snow structure and to isolate the impact of thermal changes on the ice layer and snow microstructure. The research will advance understanding of causes of avalanches and in improved avalanche forecasting. The graduate student will benefit from an international experience early in his career and connections with a leading international institute in his field.