Ukrainian Antarctic Journal

No 16 (2017): Ukrainian Antarctic Journal
Articles

Informativeness of ground penetrating radar method for investigations of the glaciers on Galindez, Winter and Skua islands (the Argentine Islands, results for the period April tо November 2017)

A. P. Chernov
Institute of Geology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, 90 Vasylkivska Str., Kyiv, 03022, Ukraine,; State Institution National Antarctic Scientific Center, Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, 16 Taras Shevchenko Blvd., Kyiv, 01601, Ukraine
Published December 29, 2017
Keywords
  • Ground penetrating radar (GPR),
  • glacier,
  • islands’ glaciers,
  • ice,
  • Antarctica,
  • VIY-3 300,
  • 300 MHz,
  • common offset
  • ...More
    Less
How to Cite
Chernov, A. P. (2017). Informativeness of ground penetrating radar method for investigations of the glaciers on Galindez, Winter and Skua islands (the Argentine Islands, results for the period April tо November 2017). Ukrainian Antarctic Journal, (16), 29-36. https://doi.org/10.33275/1727-7485.16.2017.56

Abstract

In this paper results of ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveying of island’s glaciers are shown. The main objectives were testing of VIY-3 300 GPR in weather conditions of Antarctica and check which information about glaciers can be obtained with this equipment. Methods: results of GPR surveying on Galindez Іsland were compared with results of video-impulse radiolocation method (1998 year), vertical electric-resonance sounding (2004 year) and meteorological data (2014-2017). Common offset modification of the GPR method was applied; central frequency of ground coupled antenna: 300 MHz. Results: GPR profiles were recorded along 2 glaciers on Winter island, 2 glaciers on Skua island and along 1 glacier on Galindez island. Several anomalies were indicated, which interpreted as layering of the ice, glacier’s bed, fissures, voids, areas of higher moisture content and potential glacier conduits. Further GPR monitoring of the glaciers’ interior should be done to obtain clear information about mentioned heterogeneities and about their future development. Conclusions: VIY-3 300 GPR works properly in conditions of Antarctica and is suitable for identification of heterogeneities in glaciers up to 27.5 meters. Mentioned equipment can be easily transported, recording of the profiles on mentioned glaciers could be done by one person. Speed of work is 300 meters in 20 minutes for new area (first time surveying on glacier) and 600 meters in 30 minutes for monitoring site (while monitoring on Galindez island).

References

  1. Bernarda, É., Friedt, J.M., Saintenoy, A., Tolle F., Griselin, M., Marlin, C. 2014. Where does a glacier end?GPR measurements to identify the limits between valley slopes and actual glacier body. Application to the Austre Lovénbreen, Spitsbergen International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 27, 100-108, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jag.2013.07.006
  2. Bakhmutov, V.G., Vashchenko, V.N., Grishchenko, V.F., Korchagin, I.N., Levashov, S.V., Pishchanyi I.N. 2006. Methods and results of glaciers' Malyi Wiggins (the Antarctic penninsula) and Domashnii (Galindez Іsland) thikness measurements. Ukrainian Antarctic Journal, 4-5, 47-51. http://www.uac.gov.ua/SitePages/Home/uaj4_5.aspx.
  3. Chernov, A., Reva, M. 2016. Informativeness of the GPR method on the example of results from experimental site, Visnyk Taras Shevchenko national university of Kyiv, Geology, 3(74), 38-39, http://geolvisnyk.univ.kiev.ua/archive/2016/N%203(74)/chernov_74/chernov_74.pdf. https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2713.74.07
  4. Colucci, R. R., Forte, E., Fontana, D. 2014. Characterization of two permanent ice cave deposits in the Southeastern Alps (Italy) by means of ground penetrating radar (GPR), Conference Paper, Idaho Falls, Idaho, USA, 2014, NCKRI SYMPOSIUM 4 International Workshop on Ice Caves VI, http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=iwic.
  5. Daniels, D. J. 2004. Ground-penetrating radar. 2nd edition, London: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 726. https://doi.org/10.1049/PBRA015E
  6. Forte, E., Dossi, M., Colucci, R.R., Pipan, M. 2013. A new fast methodology to estimate the density of frozen materials by means of common offset GPR data, Journal of Applied Geophysics, 99, 135-145, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2013.08.013
  7. Glotov, V.M., Kovalenok, S.B., Milinevskii, G.P., Nakalov, E.F., Fulitka, J.V. 2003. Monitoring of small glaciers as indicators of climate changes in the area of the Antarctic Penninsula. Ukrainian Antarctic Journal, 1, 93-98. http://www.uac.gov.ua/custom_content_source_list/uaj/uaj1/Monitoring%20smal%20island%20ice%20caps-93-98.pdf
  8. Godio, A., Rege, R.B. 2015. The mechanical properties of snow and ice of an alpine glacier inferred by integrating seismic and GPR methods, Journal of Applied Geophysics #115, 92-99, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2015.02.017
  9. Gourdon, E. 1908. Geographie physique - glaciology-petrographie des regions visitees par. Expedition Antarctique Francaise (1903-1905). Paris: Masson et Cie. Sciences naturelles: documents scientifiques.
  10. Karuss, J., Lamsters, K., Berzins, D. 2015. The geomorphology and ground-penetrating radar survey results of the Múlajökull and Þjórsárjökull surge-type glaciers, central Iceland, Poster presentation on European Geosciences Union General Assembly, Vienna, Austria, 12-17 April 2015, http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2015/EGU2015-7258.pdf.
  11. Lamsters, K., Karuss, J., Recs, F., Berzins, D. 2016. Detailed subglacial topography and drumlins at the marginal zone of Múlaj€okull outlet glacier, central Iceland: Evidence from low frequency GPR data, Polar Science #10, 470-475, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polar.2016.05.003
  12. Levashov, S.P, Yakymchuk, N.A., Usenko, V.P., Korchagin, I.N., Solovyov, V.D., Pishchany, Y.M. 2004. Determination of the Galindez island ice cap thickness by the vertical electric- resonance sounding method. Ukrainian Antarctic Journal, 2, 38-43. http://www.uac.gov.ua/custom_content_source_list/uaj/uaj2/Determination%20Galindez%20Island%20Ice%20Cap-38-43.pdf.
  13. Pourrier, J., Jourde, Kinnard, Gascoin, S., Monnier, S. 2014. Glacier meltwater flow paths and storage in a geomorphologically complex glacial foreland: The cavc se of the Tapado glacier, dry Andes of Chile (30°S), Journal of Hydrology, 519, 1068-1083, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2014.08.023
  14. Previati, M., Godio, A., Ferraris, S. 2011. Validation of spatial variability of snowpack thickness and density obtained with GPR and TDR methods. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 75, 284-293, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2011.07.007.
  15. Tretyak, K., Glotov, V., Holubinka, Y., Marusazh, K. 2016. Complex geodetic research in Ukrainian Antarctic station "Academician Vernadsky" (years 2002 - 2005, 2013-2014). Reports on Geodesy and Geoinformatics, 100/2016, 149-163, https://doi.org/10.1515/rgg-2016-0012.