Snow hydrology

Studies of snow hydrology predate the Anno Domini era, although major breakthroughs were not made until the mid eighteenth century.

[3] Due to the large amount of water held within these sources, snow hydrology has been a growing study in the field of river tides and seasonal flow rates.

Studies have shown the insulating properties of snow defend the plants and small animals in the environment from these frigid winds.

Both ice worms (Mesenchytraeus Solifugus) and green algae are unique organisms that can live in glacial and snowy habitats.

Though most of the knowledge in the field of snow hydrology has been discovered in the last two centuries, there is evidence that some understanding existed as early as 500-428BC in the Greek states.

Upper class citizens would have hay lined pits dug beneath their homes and bring snow down from the mountains to fill them.

"[5] The first American research labs were introduced during the 1940s in order to solve the many problems associated with snow movement in the World War II era.

The study of snow and glacial movement, though now largely dependent on remote sensing devices, still requires in field techniques to accurately determine the validity of the data.

These tools and techniques range from simple, such as a depth spike, to complex, such as the core sampling machines used to check for variations in ice composition.

Compared to the deterministic (concept that there are no random events) approach used in earlier years, this technique created minimal human interaction with the environment and in field equipment.

The underlying concept states that human construction and production of emissions, has created a number of gaseous chemical compounds which add to existing greenhouse gases.

These gases are usually broken down relatively quickly through environmental processes like photosynthesis; however, in recent years, studies have shown their atmospheric composition is increasing.

[13] Some studies believe this is a natural part of the Earth's cycle while others claim it is due to the growing amount of fossil fuel emissions and the gradual deforestation of oxygen producing plants.