DOI: 10.7256/2453-8922.2023.1.40448

Abstract: This paper presents the results of field studies conducted at the MSU meteorological site for the winter period of 2022/2023. The purpose of the observations was to study the development of the snow column and its spatial variability in one winter season. Field research consisted of analyzing stratigraphic layers of snow and measuring their density. The data obtained made it possible to characterize and evaluate changes in snow layers, structure, and density in spatiotemporal terms. The results of the work are displayed on the graphs of the spatial and temporal variability of the snow cover for 2022/2023. The evolution of the snow column over the winter period is analyzed. The analysis of observations reflects a high spatial and temporal variability of snow cover in winter, which allows not only to evaluate and compare the data obtained with past studies but also to supplement and improve the already available information on the heterogeneity of snow cover.

DOI: 10.7256/2453-8922.2022.4.39279

Abstract: This paper presents brief results of studying the cryosphere of the Zeravshan and Hissar Ranges. At the same time, the rate of change in the area of glaciers over the past almost one hundred years and the presence and degradation of permafrost during this time were considered. The actual description of the numerical method for estimating the depth of soil freezing based on data on the thickness of the snow cover and air temperature was also given. An example of using this numerical method for estimating the depth of soil freezing on the slopes was given to map the cryolithozone of the Zeravshan and Hissar Ranges. According to the calculations, the ground under the snow cover remains frozen on the Anzob Pass from December to April. The power of the accumulated snow cover can reach one and a half meters or more. At the same time, the soil under the snow-covered surface freezes, according to calculations, by an average of 1.5 m. Thus, the proposed method for calculating the dynamics of the depth of soil freezing based on air temperature data and snow cover thickness made it possible to assess soil freezing as a factor of soil stability during the construction of village and avalanche protection structures. Thus, the Anzob Pass belongs to an area of seasonal freezing of rocks. Considering the gradient of the average annual temperature of rocks, we can conclude that permafrost rocks on the Hissar Range can be expected at altitudes of more than 4,000 meters.