First ice thickness measurements in Tierra del Fuego at Schiaparelli Glacier, Chile

Abstract. Cordillera Darwin in Tierra del Fuego (Chile) remains one of the least studied glaciated regions in the world. However, this region being one of very few terrestrial sites at this latitude in the Southern Hemisphere has the potential to provide key information on the effect of climate variability and climate change on the cryosphere at sub-polar mid-latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere. Schiaparelli Glacier is located at the northern side of the Cordillera Darwin draining the north side of Monte Sarmiento (2187 m a.s.l.). Despite being one of the largest glaciers in the Cordillera Darwin, no previous in situ observation of its ice thickness had been made either at this glacier or at any other location in the Cordillera Darwin. Ice thickness is one of the fundamental parameters to understand glacier dynamics, constrain ice dynamical modelling, and predict glacier evolution. In April 2016 we performed the first successful ice thickness measurements using terrestrial ground-penetrating radar in the ablation area of Schiaparelli Glacier (Gacitúa et al., 2020, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.919331). The measurements were made along a transect line perpendicular to the ice flow. Results show a valley-shaped bedrock with a maximum ice thickness of 324 m within a distinct glacier trough. The bedrock is located below current sea level for 51 % of the transect measurements with a minimum of −158 m, which illustrates that the local topography is subject to considerable glacier-related over-deepening.

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First ice thickness measurements in Tierra del Fuego at Glacier Schiaparelli, Chile

10.5194/essd-2020-111 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Guisella Gacitúa ◽

Christoph Schneider ◽

Jorge Arigony ◽

Inti González ◽

Ricardo Jaña ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Southern Hemisphere ◽

Tierra Del Fuego ◽

Ice Thickness ◽

In Situ Observation ◽

Fundamental Parameters ◽

The North ◽

Transect Line ◽

Northern Side ◽

Ground Penetrating ◽

Thickness Measurements

Abstract. Cordillera Darwin in Tierra del Fuego (Chile) remains one of the least studied glaciated regions in the world. However, this region being one of very few terrestrial sites at this latitude in the Southern Hemisphere has the potential to provide key information on the effect of climate variability and climate change on the cryosphere at sub-polar mid-latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere. Glacier Schiaparelli is located at the northern side of the Cordillera Darwin draining the north side of Monte Sarmiento (2187 m asl). Despite being one of the largest glaciers in the Cordillera Darwin no previous in situ observation of its ice thickness had been made neither at this glacier nor at any other location in the Cordillera Darwin. Ice thickness is one of the fundamental parameters to understand glaciers dynamics, constrain ice dynamical modelling and predict glacier evolution. In April 2016 we performed the first successful ice thickness measurements using terrestrial ground- penetrating radar in the ablation area of Glacier Schiaparelli (Gacitúa et al., 2020), https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.919331. The measurements were made along a transect line perpendicular to the ice flow. Results show a valley shaped bedrock with a maximum ice thickness of 324 m within a distinct glacier trough. The bedrock is located below current sea level for 51 % of the transect measurements with a minimum of −158 m which illustrates that the local topography is subject to considerable glacier-related over-deepening.

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Subglacial topography and thickness of ice caps on the Argentine Islands

Antarctic Science ◽

10.1017/s0954102019000452 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (6) ◽

pp. 332-344 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jānis Karušs ◽

Kristaps Lamsters ◽

Anatolii Chernov ◽

Māris Krievāns ◽

Jurijs Ješkins

Keyword(s):

Land Surface ◽

Geological Structure ◽

Aerial Images ◽

Ice Thickness ◽

Ice Caps ◽

The North ◽

Prevailing Wind Direction ◽

Aerial Vehicle ◽

Subglacial Topography ◽

Ground Penetrating

AbstractThis study presents the first subglacial topography and ice thickness models of the largest ice caps of the Argentine Islands, Wilhelm Archipelago, West Antarctica. During this study, ground-penetrating radar was used to map the thickness and inner structure of the ice caps. Digital surface models of all studied islands were created from aerial images obtained with a small-sized unmanned aerial vehicle and used for the construction of subglacial topography models. Ice caps of the Argentine Islands cover ~50% of the land surface of the islands on average. The maximum thickness of only two islands (Galindez and Skua) exceeds 30 m, while the average thickness of all islands is only ~5 m. The maximum ice thickness reaches 35.3 m on Galindez Island. The ice thickness and glacier distribution are mainly governed by prevailing wind direction from the north. This has created the prominent narrow ice ridges on Uruguay and Irizar islands, which are not supported by topographic obstacles, as well as the elongated shape of other ice caps. The subglacial topography of the ice caps is undulated and mainly dependent on the geological structure and composition of magmatic rocks.

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Ice thickness, volume and subglacial relief of Ashuu-Tor, Bordu, Kara-Batkak and Golubina glaciers (Central-Asia) derived from GPR measurements and different approaching methods

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-1649 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lander Van Tricht ◽

Philippe Huybrechts ◽

Jonas Van Breedam ◽

Johannes Fuerst ◽

Oleg Rybak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Central Asia ◽

Thickness Distribution ◽

Mass Conservation ◽

Tien Shan ◽

Ice Age ◽

Ice Thickness ◽

Mountain Range ◽

Lake Formation ◽

Ground Penetrating ◽

Thickness Measurements

Glaciers in the Tien Shan (Central-Asia) mountains contribute a considerable part of the freshwater used for irrigation and households in the dry lowland areas of Kyrgyzstan and its neighbouring countries. Since the Little Ice Age, the total ice mass in this mountain range has been decreasing significantly. However, accurate measurements of the current ice volume and ice thickness distribution in the Tien Shan remain scarce, and accurate data is largely lacking at the local scale. In 2016, 2017 and 2019, we organized 1-month field campaigns in Central-Asia to sound the ice thickness of four different glaciers in the Tien Shan using a Narod ground penetrating radar (GPR) system.Here, we present and discuss our in-situ ice thickness measurements of the four glaciers. We performed in total more than 1000 GPR soundings. We found a maximum ice thickness of 200 meters in the central part of the southern facing Ashuu-Tor glacier. On both Bordu and Golubina, we measured ice thicknesses up to 140 meters. Kara-Batkak was found to have the thinnest ice which is in agreement to the large average slope of this glacier. We extended all the ice thickness measurements to the entire glacier surfaces using three different methods based on the assumption of plastic flow (method 1) and the principle of mass conservation (method 2 & 3) and assessed their differences.In this research, we show a detailed ice thickness distribution of Ashuu-Tor, Bordu, Golubina and Kara-Batkak glaciers. This can be used for glaciological modelling and assessing ice and water storage. We also point out the locations of potential lake formation in bedrock overdeepenings as a succession of glacier retreat.

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Ice volume distribution and implications on runoff projections in a glacierized catchment

Hydrology and Earth System Sciences Discussions ◽

10.5194/hessd-9-7507-2012 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 7507-7541 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J. Gabbi ◽

D. Farinotti ◽

A. Bauder ◽

H. Maurer

Keyword(s):

Thickness Distribution ◽

Regional Climate ◽

Accurate Determination ◽

Annual Runoff ◽

Ice Thickness ◽

Volume Distribution ◽

Ice Volume ◽

Runoff Decrease ◽

Ground Penetrating ◽

Thickness Measurements

Abstract. A dense network of helicopter-based ground penetrating radar (GPR) measurements was used to determine the ice-thickness distribution in the Mauvoisin region. The comprehensive set of ice-thickness measurements was combined with an ice-thickness estimation approach for an accurate determination of the bedrock. A total ice volume of 3.69 ± 0.11 km3 and a maximum ice-thickness of 290 m were found. The ice-thickness values were then employed as input for a combined glacio-hydrological model forced by most recent regional climate scenarios. This model provided glacier evolution and runoff projections. Runoff projections of the measured initial ice volume distribution show an increase in annual runoff of 4% in the next two decades, followed by a persistent runoff decrease until 2100. Finally, we checked the influence of the ice thickness distribution on runoff projections. Our analyses revealed that reliable estimates of the ice volume is essential. Wrong estimations of the total ice volume might even lead to deviations of the predicted general runoff trend.

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Ice volume distribution and implications on runoff projections in a glacierized catchment

Hydrology and Earth System Sciences ◽

10.5194/hess-16-4543-2012 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 16 (12) ◽

pp. 4543-4556 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

J. Gabbi ◽

D. Farinotti ◽

A. Bauder ◽

H. Maurer

Keyword(s):

Thickness Distribution ◽

Regional Climate ◽

Accurate Determination ◽

Annual Runoff ◽

Ice Thickness ◽

Volume Distribution ◽

Ice Volume ◽

Runoff Decrease ◽

Ground Penetrating ◽

Thickness Measurements

Abstract. A dense network of helicopter-based ground-penetrating radar (GPR) measurements was used to determine the ice-thickness distribution in the Mauvoisin region. The comprehensive set of ice-thickness measurements was combined with an ice-thickness estimation approach for an accurate determination of the bedrock. A total ice volume of 3.69 ± 0.31 km3 and a maximum ice thickness of 290 m were found. The ice-thickness values were then employed as input for a combined glacio-hydrological model forced by most recent regional climate scenarios. This model provided glacier evolution and runoff projections for the period 2010–2100. Runoff projections of the measured initial ice volume distribution show an increase in annual runoff of 4% in the next two decades, followed by a persistent runoff decrease until 2100. Finally, we checked the influence of the ice-thickness distribution on runoff projections. Our analyses revealed that reliable estimates of the ice volume are essential for modelling future glacier and runoff evolution. Wrong estimations of the total ice volume might even lead to deviations of the predicted general runoff trend.

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Calculation of glacier volume from sparse ice-thickness data, applied to Schaufelferner, Austria

Journal of Glaciology ◽

10.3189/002214309788816740 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 55 (191) ◽

pp. 453-460 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Andrea Fischer

Keyword(s):

Ice Thickness ◽

Volume Loss ◽

Glacier Inventory ◽

Ice Volume ◽

Digital Elevation ◽

The Mean ◽

Ground Penetrating ◽

Thickness Measurements ◽

Scaling Algorithms

AbstractIn order to develop and evaluate a method for the determination of glacier volume from ice-thickness data, the volume of Schaufelferner, Austria, is calculated (1) by manual interpolation of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data based on measurements at 36 locations in 1995, (2) by manual interpolation of 144 GPR measurements acquired for a higher-resolution estimate in 2003 and 2006, (3) by multiplying the mean of the measured ice-thickness data by the glacier area, (4) by automatic kriging of the 1995 GPR data and (5) by application of area/volume scaling algorithms to the Austrian glacier inventory data of 1969, 1997 and 2006. The so determined glacier volumes are compared with the ice-volume changes calculated from digital elevation models (DEMs) of the Austrian glacier inventories. The manually interpolated volumes based on the 1995 and 2003/06 GPR data yielded a volume loss only slightly different from volume loss calculated from the glacier inventories of 1997 and 2007. Other methods were not able to reproduce the volume losses of the glacier inventory DEMs. To assess the accuracy of deriving ice-thickness changes with GPR, repeated ice-thickness measurements at the same locations were carried out between 2005 and 2008.

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Ice thickness measurements of the debris covered Ngozumpa glacier, Nepal

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-19854 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lindsey Nicholson ◽

Fabien Maussion ◽

Christoph Mayer ◽

Hamish Pritchard ◽

Astrid Lambrecht ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Field Measurements ◽

Rate Of Change ◽

Ice Thickness ◽

High Mountain ◽

Global Consensus ◽

Glacier Ice ◽

Radar Measurements ◽

Global Sea Level ◽

Ground Penetrating ◽

Thickness Measurements

The presence of extensive debris cover on glaciers in parts of High Mountain Asia increases the certainty about the present day amount of ice, its ongoing rate of change and resultant impact on global sea level rise, regional water and local hazards Here we use ground penetrating radar measurements of ice thickness for the Ngozumpa glacier, a large debris-covered glacier in Nepal, to explore the challenges of using such data to calculate glacier volume, and to compare how these field measurements compare to the modelled glacier thickness for this glacier generated by the four models used in the global consensus glacier ice thickness dataset, which suggested the region holds 27% less ice than previous estimates (Farinotti and others, 2019). We also compare&#160;the ice thickness measured at Ngozumpa glacier to existing data from the smaller neighboring Khumbu glacier and evaluate the maximum volume of a possible moraine dammed lake at this site.

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In-situ automatic observations of ice thickness of seas

Metrology and Measurement Systems ◽

10.2478/v10178-012-0051-6 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 583-592 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yinke Dou ◽

Xiaomin Chang

Keyword(s):

Sea Ice ◽

New Technologies ◽

Capacitive Sensor ◽

Automatic Monitoring ◽

Ice Thickness ◽

In Situ Observation ◽

Glacier Surface ◽

Sea Ice Thickness ◽

Surface Ice

Abstract Ice thickness is one of the most critical physical indicators in the ice science and engineering. It is therefore very necessary to develop in-situ automatic observation technologies of ice thickness. This paper proposes the principle of three new technologies of in-situ automatic observations of sea ice thickness and provides the findings of laboratory applications. The results show that the in-situ observation accuracy of the monitor apparatus based on the Magnetostrictive Delay Line (MDL) principle can reach ±2 mm, which has solved the “bottleneck” problem of restricting the fine development of a sea ice thermodynamic model, and the resistance accuracy of monitor apparatus with temperature gradient can reach the centimeter level and research the ice and snow substance balance by automatically measuring the glacier surface ice and snow change. The measurement accuracy of the capacitive sensor for ice thickness can also reach ±4 mm and the capacitive sensor is of the potential for automatic monitoring the water level under the ice and the ice formation and development process in water. Such three new technologies can meet different needs of fixed-point ice thickness observation and realize the simultaneous measurement in order to accurately judge the ice thickness.

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The New Swedish Cyprus Expedition 2010. Excavations at Dromolaxia Vizatzia/Hala Sultan Tekke. Preliminary results

Opuscula Annual of the Swedish Institutes at Athens and Rome ◽

10.30549/opathrom-04-04 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. 69-98 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Peter M. Fischer ◽

Patrik Klingborg ◽

Fanny Kärfve ◽

Fredrika Kärfve ◽

C. Hagberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ground Penetrating Radar ◽

Main Task ◽

Phase 2 ◽

The North ◽

12Th Century ◽

Area 6 ◽

Recent Phase ◽

The Rich ◽

Ground Penetrating

Determination of the complete occupational sequence of the site, including investigation of pre-12th century levels which were thoroughly studied by P. Åström since the 1970s, is the main task of the planned project. During the course of the expedition (NSCE11) in spring 2010 a ground-penetrating radar survey (GPR) was carried out at Dromolaxia Vizatzia/Hala Sultan Tekke in Area 6, leading to the discovery of a large Late Cypriote complex. The compound is bordered to the north by a substantial wall, against which nine rooms (so far) could be exposed. Two occupational phases have been verified but there are indications of a third. The suggested functions of the various structures of the most recent phase are: living, working, storage and administration spaces. The rich find contexts point to the production of textiles and metal objects, and the locally produced pottery is generally of a high quality. There are also many imports, mainly from the Mycenaean sphere of culture. The locally produced vessels from Phase 2 include the “Creature krater” which is a masterpiece of a high artistic standard. Another piece of elevated artistry is the piece of a “Warrior vase”.

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Ice thickness distribution of all Swiss glaciers based on extended ground-penetrating radar data and glaciological modeling

Journal of Glaciology ◽

10.1017/jog.2021.55 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-19

Author(s):

Melchior Grab ◽

Enrico Mattea ◽

Andreas Bauder ◽

Matthias Huss ◽

Lasse Rabenstein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ground Penetrating Radar ◽

Thickness Distribution ◽

Radar Data ◽

Tourism Industry ◽

Swiss Alps ◽

Ice Thickness ◽

Hazard Management ◽

Bed Topography ◽

Ice Volume ◽

Ground Penetrating

Abstract Accurate knowledge of the ice thickness distribution and glacier bed topography is essential for predicting dynamic glacier changes and the future developments of downstream hydrology, which are impacting the energy sector, tourism industry and natural hazard management. Using AIR-ETH, a new helicopter-borne ground-penetrating radar (GPR) platform, we measured the ice thickness of all large and most medium-sized glaciers in the Swiss Alps during the years 2016–20. Most of these had either never or only partially been surveyed before. With this new dataset, 251 glaciers – making up 81% of the glacierized area – are now covered by GPR surveys. For obtaining a comprehensive estimate of the overall glacier ice volume, ice thickness distribution and glacier bed topography, we combined this large amount of data with two independent modeling algorithms. This resulted in new maps of the glacier bed topography with unprecedented accuracy. The total glacier volume in the Swiss Alps was determined to be 58.7 ± 2.5 km3 in the year 2016. By projecting these results based on mass-balance data, we estimated a total ice volume of 52.9 ± 2.7 km3 for the year 2020. Data and modeling results are accessible in the form of the SwissGlacierThickness-R2020 data package.

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