scholarly journals Glacier–Permafrost Interaction at a Thrust Moraine Complex in the Glacier Forefield Muragl, Swiss Alps

Geosciences ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 205
Author(s):  
Julius Kunz ◽  
Christof Kneisel
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Ice Core ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Glacier Forefield ◽  
High Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Alpine Glaciers ◽  
Internal Structures ◽  
Ground Penetrating ◽  
Shear Planes

The internal structures of a moraine complex mostly provide information about the manner in which they develop and thus they can transmit details about several processes long after they have taken place. While the occurrence of glacier–permafrost interactions during the formation of large thrust moraine complexes at polar and subpolar glaciers as well as at marginal positions of former ice sheets has been well understood, their role in the formation of moraines on comparatively small alpine glaciers is still very poorly investigated. Therefore, the question arises as to whether evidence of former glacier–permafrost interactions can still be found in glacier forefields of small alpine glaciers and to what extent these differ from the processes in finer materials at larger polar or subpolar glaciers. To investigate this, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys were carried out in the area of a presumed alpine thrust moraine complex in order to investigate internal moraine structures. The ERT data confirmed the presence of a massive ice core within the central and proximal parts of the moraine complex. Using GPR, linear internal structures were detected, which were interpreted as internal shear planes due to their extent and orientation. These shear planes lead to the assumption that the moraine complex is of glaciotectonic origin. Based on the detected internal structures and the high electrical resistivity values, it must also be assumed that the massive ice core is of sedimentary or polygenetic origin. The combined approach of the two methods enabled the authors of this study to detect different internal structures and to deduce a conceptual model of the thrust moraine formation.

scholarly journals Quasi-3-D resistivity imaging – mapping of heterogeneous frozen ground conditions using electrical resistivity tomography

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 895-918 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Kneisel ◽  
A. Bast ◽  
D. Schwindt
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Electrical Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Frozen Ground ◽  
Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Glacier Forefield ◽  
Mountain Permafrost ◽  
Ground Conditions

Abstract. Up to now an efficient 3-D geophysical mapping of the subsurface in mountainous environments with rough terrain has not been possible. A merging approach of several closely spaced 2-D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) surveys to build up a quasi-3-D model of the electrical resistivity is presented herein as a practical compromise for inferring subsurface characteristics and lithology. The ERT measurements were realised in a small glacier forefield in the Swiss Alps with complex terrain exhibiting a small scale spatial variability of surface substrate. To build up the grid for the quasi-3-D measurements the ERT surveys were arranged as parallel profiles and perpendicular tie lines. The measured 2-D datasets were collated into one quasi-3-D file. A forward modelling approach – based on studies at a permafrost site below timberline – was used to optimize the geophysical survey design for the mapping of the mountain permafrost distribution in the investigated glacier forefield. Quasi-3-D geoelectrical imaging is a useful method for mapping of heterogeneous frozen ground conditions and can be considered as a further milestone in the application of near surface geophysics in mountain permafrost environments.

Ground-penetrating radar and electrical resistivity tomography studies in the biblical Pisidian Antioch city, southwest Anatolia

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 285-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Çağlayan Balkaya ◽  
Ümit Yalçın Kalyoncuoğlu ◽  
Mehmet Özhanlı ◽  
Gözde Merter ◽  
Olcay Çakmak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Ground Penetrating Radar ◽  
Electrical Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Ground Penetrating

Application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography and Ground Penetrating Radar to assess salinity in a coastal aquifer with tidally-driven saline recirculation cell

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesús Fernández Águila ◽  
Mark McDonnell ◽  
Raymond Flynn ◽  
Alastair Ruffell ◽  
Eric Benner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Seawater Intrusion ◽  
Ground Penetrating Radar ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Electrical Resistivity Tomography ◽  
High Water ◽  
Fresh Groundwater ◽  
Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Tidally Driven ◽  
Ground Penetrating

<p>Seawater intrusion is a major issue worldwide, as coastal aquifers often act as the primary source of drinking water for more than one billion people. With climate change and projected population increases in coastal areas, this problem is anticipated to become more pressing over the next decades. Effective site characterisation strategies provide a crucial component in understanding subsurface saltwater migration. Density differences cause freshwater to float on seawater creating the classical saltwater intrusion saline wedge. However, tides often control coastal groundwater dynamics causing the emergence of an upper saline recirculation cell beneath the intertidal zone (Intertidal Recirculation Cell, IRC). Here we present the application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) techniques to characterize the coastal sand aquifer underlying Benone Strand (Magilligan, Northern Ireland) where tides induce an IRC. The aquifer is approximately 20 m thick and rests directly on Lr. Jurassic mudstones.</p><p>2D ERT profiles were generated at Benone beach using the SYSCAL Pro 72 ERI system (Iris Instruments). Two different array configurations (Wenner-Schlumberger and dipole-dipole) were used to provide both improved horizontal and vertical resolution. Because of the homogeneity of the sand, the ERT profiles made it possible to clearly define the configuration of the IRC and the fresh groundwater discharging “tube”. The presence of the tidally-driven recirculation cell causes fresh groundwater to flow below the IRC (“discharge tube”) and discharge in the vicinity of the low water mark. ERT data suggest that the IRC has a resistivity of approximately 1 Ωm and a thickness of 8 m. Resistivity increases below the IRC, but declines moving towards the low water mark. These findings suggest a possible mixing zone between saline water and the freshwater discharge. To verify the accuracy of the resistivity values measured in the ERT profiles, water samples were collected at various distances along a perpendicular transect from the high water mark to the low water mark. The electrical conductivities of the water samples were measured and compared with the resistivities obtained in the ERT profiles using Archie's law. Similar values were obtained in both cases.</p><p>A MALÅ ground penetrating radar system, operating at 50 MHz, 100 MHz and 500 MHz, was used to collect 2D GPR profiles at Benone beach from the low tide mark to beyond the high water mark. Findings suggested that the IRC attenuated the radar signal in all cases. However, GPR profiles were crucially important to demarcate the interfaces between freshwater and saltwater near the ground surface. GPR profiles obtained using higher frequencies (500 MHz) were the most informative.</p><p>The research work carried out at Magilligan allows us to conclude that the application of ERT and GPR techniques is effective in delineating seawater intrusion in aquifers where tides create an IRC. In addition, ERT profiles very clearly identified the IRC through field measurements (which in most cases is studied through numerical models and laboratory tests).</p>

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