Analysis of Polar Firn Density and Grain Size Models using Available Data

Abstract

This paper provides a brief analysis of existing depthdependent models of the physical properties of the polar firn using available data for subsurface density and grain radius. Results show that across inland Antarctica, firn density increases exponentially with depth. The density has gaussian fluctuations with negative damping. Grain radius increases linearly with depth for up to a few hundred meters. A standardized dataset for in-situ measurements of density and grain radius is formed and input parameters for their depthdependent models are summarized in this paper.