Greenland Snow Accumulation from Radar and Neutron Probe, 1959–2004

Greenland ice sheet snow accumulation rates are provided along a 250 km segment of the EGIG line from 1959 to 2004. Data are derived from Airborne SAR/Interferometric Radar Altimeter System (ASIRAS) measurements and high-resolution neutron-probe density profiles. The dataset is produced by the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC).

Use Cases

• Calibrating and validating regional climate models for Greenland using historical accumulation rates.
• Analyzing temporal trends in snow accumulation over a 45-year period to study climate variability.
• Mapping spatial variability of snow water equivalent along a transect of the Greenland ice sheet.
• Integrating radar-derived and in-situ neutron probe density data for improved mass balance estimates.

Strengths

• Provides a 45-year temporal record (1959–2004) for climate trend analysis.
• Combines two measurement methods: airborne radar (ASIRAS) and in-situ neutron probe density profiles.
• Covers a specific 250 km transect (EGIG line) with detailed spatial sampling.
• Dataset is hosted on multiple authoritative platforms (NASA Earthdata, Data.gov), indicating vetting and importance.

Limitations

• Specific column names and the total row count are not provided by any source, limiting precise structural understanding.
• Conflicting last updated dates exist: one source reports 2004-09-30, while others report 2026 03-13, suggesting possible metadata inconsistency.
• The license is ambiguously noted as 'other-license-specified' or 'None', requiring user verification.

Provenance

Source

National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC)

Collection Method

Derived from Airborne SAR/Interferometric Radar Altimeter System (ASIRAS) data and high-resolution neutron-probe (NP) density profiles.

Time Range

1959–2004

Freshness

2026-03 13 01:39:24.497753

Geography

A 250 km segment along the Expéditions Glaciologiques Internationales au Groenland (EGIG) line on the Greenland ice sheet.