Often near- surfacefacetedsnow is toppedoff with surface hoar, a well documented weak layer. However, near-surface faceted crystals withoutsurfacehoar may also createdangerous and lasting weak layers. In spite of their role in avalancheformation in our area, and reports that they form a significant weaknessin other regions, near-surfacefacetedcrystals have receivedfar less attentionin the scientific andpopular literaturethan depth hoar or surfacehoar. The processeswhichform near-surface facetedlayers are discussedbriefly,if at all, in populartexts, and have been minimally addressed by scientific research. The purpose of this study was to observe the formation of near-surface faceted crystals in the field, to document the specific conditions necessary for their formation, and to observe their contribution to avalancheformation.
Surface hoar is another type of faceted crystal that forms a well recognized weak layer.
The researchandattentionon depthhoarandsurface hoar arewell deserved, since both of these facetedcrystals create undeniably dangerous and persistent weak layers.