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Abstract
A number of methods for determining the climatic snowline are briefly described. The firn line on glaciers will normally lie slightly lower than the climatic snowline; however, most previous methods for its determination are connected with observations on glaciers. From a study of the distribution of glaciers and the altitudes of surrounding mountain summits, it is possible to determine a critical height (the “glaciation limit”) which has normally to be exceeded if glaciers should form. This height is approximately 100 metres above the climatic snowline.
The glaciation limit was determined on a large number of topographic maps, the results plotted on a small-scale map, and contour lines were drawn showing its regional variation in southern British Columbia and Alberta. The source material and possible errors in the determinations are discussed. A comparison is made with different maps showing precipitation, continentality, land surface elevation, and the 1961 firn line altitude on glaciers. It is concluded that the height of the glaciation limit is inversely connected with the precipitation distribution.