Using a high resolution snow penetrometer we are able to measure snow penetration resistance and snow meso- and microstructure. We can show that the variation of the signal is characteristic for different snow types. The penetrometer can be used in the field as well in the laboratory. The range of snow types which can be tested extends from light new snow (50 kg m^-3) to very dense snow occuring on ski race tracks (500 kg mm^-3). The displacement resolution of the penetrometer is better than one millimeter to detect significant changes in resistance, the force signal is measured every 0.004 mm. The penetration velocity is between 6-20 mm sm^-1.
A classification is developed to extract textural information of snow from the force signal. The classification is based on experiments with artifically metamorphosed snow and undisturbed snow from the Alps and Alaska. Two weak layers were identified and compared to surface sections.
The new instrument makes the measurement of mechanical and stratigraphic features of a snowpack a more objective and easy task than with other methods. The high displacement resolution promises also a better identification of weak layers.