Metadata details
AAS_4537_DSS1617_SNOWPACK
All scientific data collected by the Australian Antarctic program (AAp) are eventually described in the Catalogue of Australian Antarctic and Subantarctic Metadata (CAASM). CAASM can be used to search through AAp data descriptions, and it also provides links to access publicly available datasets, which can either be immediately downloaded or obtained from the Australian Antarctic Data Centre (AADC).
- Citation
- Zhang, L., Fraser, A., Jong, L.M., Thompson, S.S., Vance, T.R. and Zhao, C. (2026) SNOWPACK model simulations for the Law Dome DSS1617 ice-core site, East Antarctica, 1990–2016, Ver. 1, Australian Antarctic Data Centre - doi:10.26179/mbz7-0075, Accessed: 2026-06-21
- Title
- SNOWPACK model simulations for the Law Dome DSS1617 ice-core site, East Antarctica, 1990–2016
- Data Centre
- Australian Antarctic Data Centre, Australia
- DOI
- doi:10.26179/mbz7-0075
- Created Date
- 2026-06-17
- Revision Date
- 2026-06-17
- Parent record
- None
Datasets and documents
Related links
Description
This dataset contains annual SNOWPACK model simulations for the Law Dome DSS ice-core site, East Antarctica, covering the period 1990–2016. SNOWPACK is a numerical model used to simulate the physical properties and evolution of snow and firn. The simulations were forced using hourly meteorological data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis 5 (ERA5).
The dataset includes annual SNOWPACK profile output files (.pro), containing simulated snow and firn properties such as layer depth, density, grain size, grain type, temperature and related physical variables. The files were used to investigate the formation of thin, high-density layers resembling bubble-free layers observed in the Law Dome DSS1617 ice core. Supporting scripts used to read, process and plot the SNOWPACK outputs and ERA5 meteorological data are also included.
The dataset includes SNOWPACK output files. The simulations were run as individual annual experiments to preserve thin near-surface layers and to support comparison with observed bubble free layers in the ice-core record. The model was forced using hourly ERA5 meteorological variables, including near-surface air temperature, dew-point temperature, wind components, precipitation, shortwave radiation, longwave radiation, and skin temperature. The dataset supports research into Antarctic snowpack modelling, firn stratigraphy, ice core proxy interpretation, and the meteorological conditions associated with bubble free layer formation at Law Dome.
Access
These data are publicly available for download from the provided URL.
Temporal Coverages
- Start date: 1990-01-01 - Stop date: 2016-12-31
Spatial Coverages
Science Keywords
- EARTH SCIENCE > PALEOCLIMATE > ICE CORE RECORDS
- EARTH SCIENCE > CRYOSPHERE > SNOW/ICE
- EARTH SCIENCE > CRYOSPHERE > SNOW/ICE > ICE DEPTH/THICKNESS
- EARTH SCIENCE > CRYOSPHERE > GLACIERS/ICE SHEETS > FIRN
- EARTH SCIENCE > CRYOSPHERE > GLACIERS/ICE SHEETS > FIRN > SNOW GRAIN SIZE
- EARTH SCIENCE > CRYOSPHERE > SNOW/ICE > SNOW DENSITY
- EARTH SCIENCE > CRYOSPHERE > SNOW/ICE > SNOW/ICE TEMPERATURE
Additional Keywords
- SNOWPACK
- 4537
- AAS 4537
Locations
- GEOGRAPHIC REGION > POLAR
- CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > LAW DOME
Platforms
- MODELS
Instruments
- Computer
Researchers
- zhang, lingwei (INVESTIGATOR,TECHNICAL CONTACT,DIF AUTHOR)
- fraser, alexander (INVESTIGATOR,TECHNICAL CONTACT)
- jong, lenneke (INVESTIGATOR,TECHNICAL CONTACT)
- thompson, sarah (INVESTIGATOR,TECHNICAL CONTACT)
- vance, tessa (INVESTIGATOR,TECHNICAL CONTACT)
- zhao, chen (INVESTIGATOR,TECHNICAL CONTACT)
Use Constraints
This data set conforms to the CCBY Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Please follow instructions listed in the citation reference provided at http://data.aad.gov.au/aadc/metadata/citation.cfm?entry_id=AAS_4537_DSS1617_SNOWPACK when using these data.
