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Resolving the internal and basal geometry of ice masses using imaging phase-sensitive radar

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Young, TJ 
Schroeder, DM 
Christoffersen, Poul  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2643-8724
Lok, LB 
Nicholls, KW 

Abstract

jats:titleABSTRACT</jats:title>jats:pThe phase-sensitive radio-echo sounder (pRES) is a powerful new instrument that can measure the depth of internal layers and the glacier bed to millimetre accuracy. We use a stationary 16-antenna pRES array on Store Glacier in West Greenland to measure the three-dimensional orientation of dipping internal reflectors, extending the capabilities of pRES beyond conventional depth sounding. This novel technique portrays the effectiveness of pRES in deriving the orientation of dipping internal layers that may complement profiles obtained through other geophysical surveying methods. Deriving ice vertical strain rates from changes in layer depth as measured by a sequence of pRES observations assumes that the internal reflections come from vertically beneath the antenna. By revealing the orientation of internal reflectors and the potential deviation from nadir of their associated reflections, the use of an antenna array can correct this assumption. While the array configuration was able to resolve the geometry of englacial layers, the same configuration could not be used to accurately image the glacier bed. Here, we use simulations of the performance of different array geometries to identify configurations that can be tailored to study different types of basal geometry for future deployments.</jats:p>

Description

Keywords

Arctic glaciology, glaciological instruments and methods, ground-penetrating radar, radio-echo sounding

Journal Title

Journal of Glaciology

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0022-1430
1727-5652

Volume Title

64

Publisher

Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Sponsorship
Natural Environment Research Council (NE/K005871/1)
European Commission Horizon 2020 (H2020) ERC (3276207)