Multi-Discipline Arctic Oceanography and Acoustics Program: The Geodesic Underice Tramway System - GUTS

• Main Authors: Ewart, Terry E., Olson, LeRoy O., Thorsos, Eric L.
• Other Authors: WASHINGTON UNIV SEATTLE APPLIED PHYSICS LAB
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1992
• Subjects: Snow; Ice and Permafrost; *CONVEYORS; *UNDERICE; *SEA ICE; *UNDERWATER STRUCTURES; CONSTRUCTION; ICE; CANOPIES; ACOUSTICS; MAPPING; SALTS; ACOUSTIC SCATTERING; HEAT; OCEANOGRAPHY; BAYS; GEODESICS; ARCTIC OCEAN; SURFACES; ICE MECHANICS; TOPOGRAPHY; SCATTERING; BACKSCATTERING; GUTS(GEODESIC UNDERICE TRAMWAY SYSTEM); Arctic; Arctic Ocean; Shallow Bay; Ice; permafrost; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA258323; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA258323

The Multi-Discipline Group was engaged in a research program for FY91-92 in Arctic oceanography and acoustic scattering. The purpose of this project was to develop and operate a system capable of accurately mapping the topography and elastic constants of sea ice with spatial precision to a fraction of a meter (required to characterize the Bragg wavenumber structure for acoustic backscatter studies). The system would be capable of conducting detailed oceanographic studies under the ice canopy, where ice topography and heat and salt budgets are difficult to study over wide areas, and in shallow bay areas where near-surface processes are important. The main research objective was to complete the dynamic analysis, mechanical design, construction and testing of the Geodesic Underice Tramway System (GUTS). A secondary objective was to work with research scientists in oceanography, ice mechanics and acoustics on the development of instrument suites to be carried by the apparatus.