Investigation of Kuwanoki-zawa Perennial Snow Patch

The first glaciological observation was made at Kuwanoki-zawa perennial snow patch, which is located on the north side, ca. 800m, above sea level, of Mt. Komagatake (2, 002m) in Niigata Prefecture. Its size on August 4, 1977 was 250m in length, 40m in width and 15-20m (estimated) in depth. The total volume was estimated to be ca. 100, 000m3. The structure of the snow layers as deep as 10m was observed by the use a hand auger. It was foundthat the core samples obtained from different depths were of the same quality, with the density of 0.65, and clean. It is considered that this snow patch is formed of the debris of slub avalanches. It was not possible to recognize the summer surface because it was deeper than 10m. From the size of the snow patch on the day of investigation and from its melting speed, it is assumed that the patch is perennial. As the shape of a snow patch is greatly influenced by the meteorological conditions, the shape of the lower edge of the snowpatch was surveyed quite accurately.