Snow Cover Metamorphism as Evolutionary Biosphere Process

Abstract

The concept of development of snow cover structure based on its crystal morphology, as well as the fundamental laws of natural symmetry is presented. Deterministic and stochastic empirical models describing the sublimation-metamorphic cycle of snow cover as an evolutionary biosphere process have been developed. The stadiality of forms of crystal growth and polymorphic self-development of snow horizons were identified. It is shown that snow cover is a natural model for the study of a number of evolutionary processes which were in the geological and historical past and occur today as in inorganic nature, so and in the biotic environment.