Layer-optimized synthetic aperture radar processing with a mobile phase-sensitive radar: a proof of concept for detecting the deep englacial stratigraphy of Colle Gnifetti, Switzerland and Italy
Radio-echo sounding is a standard technique for imaging the englacial stratigraphy of glaciers and ice sheets. In most cases, internal reflection horizons (IRHs) represent former glacier surfaces, comprise information about past accumulation and ice deformation, and enable the linking of ice core ch...
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ftcopernicus:oai:publications.copernicus.org:tc116064 2024-09-15T18:12:03+00:00 Layer-optimized synthetic aperture radar processing with a mobile phase-sensitive radar: a proof of concept for detecting the deep englacial stratigraphy of Colle Gnifetti, Switzerland and Italy Oraschewski, Falk M. Koch, Inka Ershadi, M. Reza Hawkins, Jonathan D. Eisen, Olaf Drews, Reinhard 2024-08-30 application/pdf https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-3875-2024 https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/18/3875/2024/ eng eng doi:10.5194/tc-18-3875-2024 https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/18/3875/2024/ eISSN: 1994-0424 Text 2024 ftcopernicus https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-3875-2024 2024-09-03T23:42:44Z Radio-echo sounding is a standard technique for imaging the englacial stratigraphy of glaciers and ice sheets. In most cases, internal reflection horizons (IRHs) represent former glacier surfaces, comprise information about past accumulation and ice deformation, and enable the linking of ice core chronologies. IRHs in the lower third of the ice column are often difficult to detect or coherently trace. In the polar ice sheets, progress in IRH detection has been made by using multistatic, phase-coherent radars, enabling focused synthetic aperture radar (SAR) processing. However, these radar systems are often not suitable for deployment on mountain glaciers. We present a proof-of-concept study for a lightweight, phase-coherent and ground-based radar system, based on the phase-sensitive radio-echo sounder (pRES). To improve the detectability of IRHs we additionally adapted a layer-optimized SAR processing scheme to this setup. We showcase the system capability at Colle Gnifetti, Switzerland and Italy, where specular reflections are now apparent down to the base of the glacier. Compared to previously deployed impulse radar systems, with the mobile pRES the age of the oldest continuously traceable IRH could be increased from 78±12 to 288±35 a . Corresponding reflection mechanisms for this glacier are linked to stratified acidic impurities which in the upper part were deposited at a higher rate due to increased industrial activity in the area. Possible improvements to the system are discussed. If successfully implemented, these may provide a new way to map the deep internal structure of Colle Gnifetti and other mountain glaciers more extensively in future deployments. Text ice core Copernicus Publications: E-Journals The Cryosphere 18 8 3875 3889 |
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Open Polar |
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Copernicus Publications: E-Journals |
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ftcopernicus |
language |
English |
description |
Radio-echo sounding is a standard technique for imaging the englacial stratigraphy of glaciers and ice sheets. In most cases, internal reflection horizons (IRHs) represent former glacier surfaces, comprise information about past accumulation and ice deformation, and enable the linking of ice core chronologies. IRHs in the lower third of the ice column are often difficult to detect or coherently trace. In the polar ice sheets, progress in IRH detection has been made by using multistatic, phase-coherent radars, enabling focused synthetic aperture radar (SAR) processing. However, these radar systems are often not suitable for deployment on mountain glaciers. We present a proof-of-concept study for a lightweight, phase-coherent and ground-based radar system, based on the phase-sensitive radio-echo sounder (pRES). To improve the detectability of IRHs we additionally adapted a layer-optimized SAR processing scheme to this setup. We showcase the system capability at Colle Gnifetti, Switzerland and Italy, where specular reflections are now apparent down to the base of the glacier. Compared to previously deployed impulse radar systems, with the mobile pRES the age of the oldest continuously traceable IRH could be increased from 78±12 to 288±35 a . Corresponding reflection mechanisms for this glacier are linked to stratified acidic impurities which in the upper part were deposited at a higher rate due to increased industrial activity in the area. Possible improvements to the system are discussed. If successfully implemented, these may provide a new way to map the deep internal structure of Colle Gnifetti and other mountain glaciers more extensively in future deployments. |
format |
Text |
author |
Oraschewski, Falk M. Koch, Inka Ershadi, M. Reza Hawkins, Jonathan D. Eisen, Olaf Drews, Reinhard |
spellingShingle |
Oraschewski, Falk M. Koch, Inka Ershadi, M. Reza Hawkins, Jonathan D. Eisen, Olaf Drews, Reinhard Layer-optimized synthetic aperture radar processing with a mobile phase-sensitive radar: a proof of concept for detecting the deep englacial stratigraphy of Colle Gnifetti, Switzerland and Italy |
author_facet |
Oraschewski, Falk M. Koch, Inka Ershadi, M. Reza Hawkins, Jonathan D. Eisen, Olaf Drews, Reinhard |
author_sort |
Oraschewski, Falk M. |
title |
Layer-optimized synthetic aperture radar processing with a mobile phase-sensitive radar: a proof of concept for detecting the deep englacial stratigraphy of Colle Gnifetti, Switzerland and Italy |
title_short |
Layer-optimized synthetic aperture radar processing with a mobile phase-sensitive radar: a proof of concept for detecting the deep englacial stratigraphy of Colle Gnifetti, Switzerland and Italy |
title_full |
Layer-optimized synthetic aperture radar processing with a mobile phase-sensitive radar: a proof of concept for detecting the deep englacial stratigraphy of Colle Gnifetti, Switzerland and Italy |
title_fullStr |
Layer-optimized synthetic aperture radar processing with a mobile phase-sensitive radar: a proof of concept for detecting the deep englacial stratigraphy of Colle Gnifetti, Switzerland and Italy |
title_full_unstemmed |
Layer-optimized synthetic aperture radar processing with a mobile phase-sensitive radar: a proof of concept for detecting the deep englacial stratigraphy of Colle Gnifetti, Switzerland and Italy |
title_sort |
layer-optimized synthetic aperture radar processing with a mobile phase-sensitive radar: a proof of concept for detecting the deep englacial stratigraphy of colle gnifetti, switzerland and italy |
publishDate |
2024 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-3875-2024 https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/18/3875/2024/ |
genre |
ice core |
genre_facet |
ice core |
op_source |
eISSN: 1994-0424 |
op_relation |
doi:10.5194/tc-18-3875-2024 https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/18/3875/2024/ |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-3875-2024 |
container_title |
The Cryosphere |
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18 |
container_issue |
8 |
container_start_page |
3875 |
op_container_end_page |
3889 |
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1810449637615599616 |