Ablation of snow under the vertical sun in Hawaii

Author:

Wentworth, Chester K.

Title:

Ablation of snow under the vertical sun in Hawaii

Periodical:

American Journal of Science

Year:

1940

Volume:

238

Pages:

112-116

Subject:

Snow and snowfall Hawaii Island Mauna Kea

Summary:

This document describes sun-spikes and sun-cups that formed at the lower end of a snow-bank on the northern slope of the summit cone of Mauna Kea, Hawaii, on 24 July 1939. While it was guestimated that the forms developed largely in the three or four days prior to the author's visit, testimony of others also indicated these sun-cups may not form each year at an appropriate stage but only occasionally under especially favorable atmospheric conditions. While recorded observations were insufficient to indicate whether these formations was usual at a certain season stage of wastage of the snow, or was exceptional, it was hoped that with a growing interest in the recreational possibilities on the summit of Mauna Kea that additional observations on this and other characteristics of the snow-banks could be collected.

Label:

Weather & Climate

Date:

February 1940

Collection:

Periodicals