Yukigata (Snow Patterns)

Remaining snow surrounded by a ground surface and a ground surface surrounded by remaining snow are called yukigata in Japan. Some of famous yukigatas have a name and oral literature (from “Do you know YUKIGATA?“)

The estimation method of yukigata occurrence areas and its viewing regions using DEM data, satellite image data and ground-based photo image data was examined.  In this examination, we focused on a yukigata  named “Haneuma” (jumping horse, a negative yukigata) that appeared a hillside of Mt. Myouko in Niigata prefecture. The results of an estimation were the center of its occurrence area was 138.1362500 degrees longitude, 36.9182500 degrees latitude and 1442 meters above sea level.

Based on this result, we checked whether  “Haneuma” could be observed in past aerial photograph image data that we can see at the web site of the Japan Geographical Survey Institute.  As a result, the “Haneuma” was observed in an aerial photograph (USA-M5-3-3, photo number 43) on May 3, 1952.