Study of Antarctic Ice Sheet Motion by Means of Doppler Effect Laser Equipment

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Authors: Bogorodskiy, V. V., Belousova, I. M., Ivanov, I. P.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1975
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Antarctic; Mirny Station; Mirny; Antarc*; Antarctica; Ice Sheet; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000034729; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000034729

Doppler-effect laser equipment was successfully employed in Antarctica in 1969-70 to measure the rate of ice-sheet motion. The method is based on measuring differential beat frequency generated by the interaction of the direct pulse and its echo. A He-Ne laser with the wavelength of 6 328 Â was used in the 15th Soviet Antarctic Expedition. The paper gives detailed results of the measurements along with a description of the equipment used and of the observational procedures. A new modified version of the equipment was made ready for 1971-72 Antarctic season, and was used in the 18th Soviet Antarctic Expedition in the vicinity of Mirny station. New results are also discussed. Analysis of all available data makes it possible to believe that the movement of the ice sheet is irregular with occasional stops. The progressive motion of the ice sheet is accompanied by strain oscillations.