Automated detection and characterization of Antarctic basal units using radar sounding data: demonstration in Institute Ice Stream, West Antarctica

• Published in: Annals of Glaciology
• Main Authors: Madison L. Goldberg, Dustin M. Schroeder, Davide Castelletti, Elisa Mantelli, Neil Ross, Martin J. Siegert
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press 2020
• Subjects: Antarctic glaciology; basal ice; glaciological instruments and methods; radio-echo sounding; Meteorology. Climatology; QC851-999; Antarctic; West Antarctica; Institute Ice Stream; Annals of Glaciology; Antarc*; Antarctica; Ice Sheet
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1017/aog.2020.27; https://doaj.org/article/3a2ed0b7ddc74c5c873247ad78c4b768

Basal units – visibly distinct englacial structures near the ice-bed interface – warrant investigation for a number of reasons. Many are of unknown composition and origin, characteristics that could provide substantial insight into subglacial processes and ice-sheet history. Their significance, moreover, is not limited to near-bed depths; these units appear to dramatically influence the flow of surrounding ice. In order to enable improved characterization of these features, we develop and apply an algorithm that allows for the automatic detection of basal units. We use a tunable layer-optimized SAR processor to distinguish these structures from the bed, isochronous englacial layers and the ice-sheet surface, presenting a conceptual framework for the use of radio-echo character in the identification of ice-sheet features. We also outline a method by which our processor could be used to place observational constraints on basal units’ configuration, composition and provenance.