Radio-Echo Sounding of Mountain Glaciers

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Authors: Zotikov, I. A., Luchininov, V. S., Macheket, Yu. Ya., Suchanov, L. A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1975
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000034699; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000034699

Abstract Experiments on radio-echo sounding of mountain glaciers have been done on Lednik Marukh (west Caucasus), Lednik Bezingy and Lednik Dzhankuat (central Caucasus), Lednik Gergety (east Caucasus), and Lednik IGAN (Polar Urals) in 1967-71 as a part of the I.H.D. programme. Radio altimeters operating at a frequency of 440 MHz with a pulse duration 0.5 μ5 and with an assumed radio-echo system performance of 130 dB were used. The apparatus was operated from the ice surface (using sledge or vehicle) and partly from a helicopter. Some measurements have been made while the apparatus was being moved continuously along longitudal and transverse profiles of the glacier. Some of the measurements have been made at separate points on the glacier. The methods of measurement and interpretation have been worked out. Data on ice thickness, subglacial topography, and internal structure of some mountain glaciers have been obtained and compared with data got using other geophysical methods and thermal drilling. There is agreement between the results.