6.1.15 Snow profiles, 2

A hypothetical full snow profile, showing the temperature and hardness data

What can you infer from the hardness profile in red? Select the correct answer(s), then click Done.

The correct answers are a and c.

The extremely high hardness values at 15 and 70 cm (6 to 28 in) are indicative of ice. The deep snowpack above these shallow layers may be less stable and prone to slide if the slope is steep enough. The top 35 cm (14 in) or so exhibits very low hardness and is probably low-density snow. Given the layers with highly variable degrees of hardness, it's clear that there have been periods of melting and snowfalls of varying densities during the winter; it has not not been monotonous.