Abstract
A mathematical model for suncups on glacier and alpine snow during the summer melting season is compared with timeโlapse field observations. The model consists of a nonlinear partial differential equation whose solution spontaneously forms quasiโperiodic patterns similar to suncups when started from a random initial condition. The suncup patterns are found to fully develop in 5 days in the field under full sun. The patterns fluctuate chaotically in time, both in the observations and in the model. The fluctuations can be described mathematically in terms of diffusion of individual suncups. According to the model, the rate at which the suncups diffuse contains information about the effect of the suncups on the albedo of the snow.
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