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Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 2007-08: VUWAE 52

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

Traverses totaling 150km at Skinner Saddle and 35km at Gawn Ice Piedmont have been surveyed with GPR. The measurements allowed us to identify an excellent drilling location at Skinner Saddle with smooth bedrock topography and a glacier thickness exceeding 600m at the proposed drilling location. Excellent isochrone reflections are visible throughout the profile to below 150m, which will also be used to investigate geographical and chronological accumulation changes. The region at Gawn Ice Piedmont is glaciologically more active (see Figure 9) and marginal weather conditions limited our ability to a more comprehensive survey, as achieved at Skinner Saddle. However, we identified a suitable drilling site with a undisturbed depth of at least 300m, which is deeper than the target depth of 200m for this site. Further post-processing will enhance the reflectors and will correct for surface topography.

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Fig. 9 Unprocessed ground penetrating radar profile from GIP showing proposed drill site in the centre of the image.

Fig. 9 Unprocessed ground penetrating radar profile from GIP showing proposed drill site in the centre of the image.

These images are used to create 3D model of bedrock topography (Fig.10) and/or individual isochrones to establish ice flow direction and shear stresses as well as geographical and temporal snow accumulation changes. This allows a comprehensive assessment of the suitability of the proposed drill site.

Fig. 10 Calculated bedrock topography at GIP showing proposed drill site in the centre of the image.

Fig. 10 Calculated bedrock topography at GIP showing proposed drill site in the centre of the image.