Today was my first trial with snow probes on Aurora Lake.
For accurate measurement of base termperature,
the thermistor on the snow probe must be in contact with the ice.

Martin advised best technique for collecting snow samples.

Lynette created a transect of 80 meters with a measuring tape on Jalpertia pond.

Martin labeled stakes for markers at every 5 meters.

Martin explained snow depth and ice thickness procedures
to previous TEAntarctic parcticipant, Sandra Kolb.

The second part of ice thickness measurements
using the hot wire gauge is L2. The resistance
wire is heated with a 12 Volt battery, the ice melts
just enough for the wire to slide through until
the toggle hits the base of the ice. L2 is the length
between the wooden handle to the aluminum tube.
To determine ice thickness, the sum of L1 and L2
is subtracted from the total wire length.

Surface temperature in the ³woods² at MST pond.

After my
field visit, I shared my experience with all departments.
Here was with middle school students. They had the opportunity to try on some cold weather gear.

Martin worked with home school students on Aurora pond.
Eventually, these three students will collect data independently.

Snow tube is used to collect snow. To find volume of the snow, we multiply the area of the circle and snow depth.

Students from Fairbanks took a field trip to Aurora pond to experience snow and ice science.

Jalpertia Pond, Poker Flat Research Range, Alaska-March 9, 2002
(Martin Jeffries, Researcher)

Next to a meter stick, Martin measured the ice thickness using this aluminum rod.

On every trip to the ponds, we stopped at Poker Flat
> to change clothes and sign in.
We also took lunch breaks here

Lynette, ASL interpreter and I stayed in the Nordic House
at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Marge Porter flew from Conneticut to parcticipate in Martinıs
mentoring workshop for his project with Fairbanks teachers.
We all went out to the ponds together, this is our lunch break.

Three TEA teachers and Fairbanks teacher,
Ron collected data from four ponds.
This is to give new people a taste of Martinıs research
in order to better understand Martin and Ronıs
project for Fairbanks teachers

Ron, Marge, and Sandra measured mass from their ponds.

One of Martinıs teachers from his snow and ice course
invited him to provide snow and ice activities for upper elementary
students as part of their field trip.

Shannon entered raw data from Poker Flat into Sigma Plot,
which automatically calculates conductive heat flux.

Craig worked with Martin all year on Poker Flat.
On Saturdays, he helps with data collection and
does some data entry during the week.

Martin explained snow depth technique.

Temperatures increased but ice continued to increase.
Martin decided today was a good day to
measure water depth for the first time this season.

At the end of this measuring tape was a set of heavy weights.
The weights are let down to the bottom.
Water depth on Aurora pond was approximately 17 meters.

This image was used in the journal to illustrate
negative freeboard. Often when snow density increases,
stress fractures are created allowing water
to seep through. When ice is drilled, water flows freely.

Temperatures continued to increase.
The snow cover melted drastically leaving large puddles of water.
Home school kids were not concerned and immediately proceeded with their work.

As part of Martin Jeffries' snow and ice course,
teachers from Fairbanks parcticipated in field experience.

Martin and I cleared approximately 1 x 1 sq ft for drilling.
We measured accumulated snow ice and congelation ice.

Snow blocks are compressed from snow density.
After measuring snow and congelation ice,
these blocks were returned.

Aurora pond (photographed) lost its snow cover with 18 inches of rain today.
The water on the ice is snowmelt. Ice thickness still remained approximately 75 cm.

Goodbye Jalpertia pond!
Thank you for following us through journals and photographs.
(Photo taken 4/24)