The application of the GPR-method for safety of logistics operations near the Russkaya station in West Antarctica

• Main Authors: A. A. Sukhanova, V. V. Kharitonov, S. V. Popov, M. P. Kashkevich
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Russian
• Published: Nauka 2022
• Subjects: георадиолокация; ледниковые трещины; логистические операции; взлётно-посадочная полоса; станция русская; западная антарктида; Science; Q; Antarctic; West Antarctica; Byrd; Marie Byrd Land; Russkaya; Russkaya Station; Rae; Antarc*; Antarctica; Антарктида
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.31857/S2076673422030142; https://doaj.org/article/5b64b19356704fc58405cf55a48155d9

The Russkaya station (Marie Byrd Land, West Antarctica) was one of the wintering stations of the Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE) before its conservation in 1990. Starting from the field season of the 65th RAE (2019/20), work is under way at Russkaya station to put it into operation as a functioning wintering station. Due to its significant distance from other RAE infrastructure sites and also due to severe climate, organization of logistical operations in this area requires a special approach. For the most effective transport communication with the station, it is planned to organize an airstrip to receive planes on ski landing gear on the surface of the outlet glacier. Glaciers of this type are oſten characterized by crevasses, which are not traceable on the surface, which makes it necessary to study the structural sub-surface features of the glacier. For this purpose, geophysical survey in the field season of the 65th RAE were carried out with usage of the GPR-method. GPR profiling at a frequency of 900 MHz allowed us to identify the crevasses and assess their morphometric characteristics, in particular the width and depth. The widest crevasses were examined in detail to improve the interpretation of GPR data. Based on the results of geophysical works, the boundaries of zones were determined, within which the crevasses are either absent, or their width does not exceed 0.6 m. In addition, by means of core drilling, values of ice density to a depth of 5 m from the surface were obtained, which correspond to the normative data on preparation of airfields for operation of airplanes on ski landing gear. Based on the results of geophysical and glaciological investigations, a site on the glacier suitable for runway preparation was identified. An area safe for organization of transport communication between the airfield and Russkaya station was also identified. It is adjacent to the hills of the oasis, as the glacier in this part is the most stationary.