Imnavait Snowpack and LiDAR Survey from 2012 Arctic Campaign
Updated 14y ago
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Description
Sixteen participants collected snowpack data near Toolik Lake, Alaska, between April 8 and 21, 2012. The campaign produced four data types: ground snow depths, snow cores for SWE, airborne LiDAR, and ground-based LiDAR. Data is managed by SCIOPS and was last updated on April 22, 2012.
Use Cases
Model snow water equivalent (SWE) from ground snow core measurements weighed with 0.1 g accuracy.
Validate airborne LiDAR elevation models against ground-based LiDAR and probe measurements.
Analyze snow depth distribution using GPS-enabled probe data, where values of 120 cm indicate depths exceeding sensor limit.
Study spatial snowpack variability by correlating ground snow depth points with LiDAR raster files.
Strengths
Data collection involved 16 participants over a focused two-week campaign.
Snow core weights were measured with digital balances accurate to 0.1 grams.
Multiple complementary measurement techniques were used: ground probes, snow cores, and two types of LiDAR.
Limitations
Snow depth probe measurements are capped at 120 cm, limiting accuracy for deeper snow.
Dataset is from a single, short campaign in April 2012, offering only a seasonal snapshot.
Ground depth values less than 0 cm due to calibration errors require manual correction to zero.
Provenance
Source
SCIOPS, via NASA Earthdata (ACADIS).
Collection Method
Field campaign measurements using GPS-enabled depth probes, Federal samplers for snow cores, and airborne/ground LiDAR.
Time Range
April 8-21, 2012.
Freshness
Single collection event; last updated in April 2012.
Geography
Toolik Lake area, north of the Brooks Range, Alaskan North Slope.
Depth values of 120 indicate measurements >=120 cm; negative values should be set to zero. Data is stored in Excel spreadsheets (tabular) and raster files (geospatial).