Collecting snow layer samples is another job that we do each day. It is a pretty simple process to collect it, but how will we get it home without it melting?
The first step is to dig a hole in the shape of a rectangle that is about 2 feet deep. We then place a small plastic container in one side of the hole.
Kevin McMahon is collecting a snow layer sample from the Greenland Ice Sheet. Photo by Hannah James.
Now that our sample is trapped in the plastic container, we cut it out with a saw.
Kevin McMahon is using a saw to remove a snow layer sample from the Greenland Ice Sheet. Photo by Hannah James.
We now have a snow layer sample to take home. But how do we stop it from melting?
Kevin McMahon with a snow layer sample. Photo by Hannah James.
The final step is to pour a liquid chemical into our plastic container. This chemical has a freezing point that is lower than the freezing point of water so it doesn’t melt the snow.
After we pour the chemical into the sample, we have a preserved sample of the snow layers.
Snow Layer Sample Treated with a Chemical To Preserve It
Scientists will cut this sample into small slivers to see the layers. They can then compare what these layers with the other data that we have collected.
Kevin McMahon with a snow layer sample. Photo by Hannah James.