Chinese Journal of Polar Research

ADVANCES IN POLAR SCIENCE ›› 2003, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (2-English): 90-98.

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Determination of ice thickness, subice topography and ice vol-ume at Glacier No. 1 in Tien Shan, China by ground penetrating radar

 Sun Bo1, Zhang Peng2, Jiao Keqin3, Deng Xinsheng1 and Wen Jiahong1   

  1. 1 Polar Research Institute of China, Shanghai 200129, China;
    2 Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology, Beijing 100029, China;
    3 Laboratory of Ice Core and Cold Region Environment, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
  • Online:1953-06-30 Published:1953-06-30
  • Contact: Sun Bo

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Abstract:

We describe a radio-echo sounding (RES) survey for the determination of ice thickness, subglacial topography and ice volume of Glacier No.1 , in Tien Shan, China, using ground-penetrating radar (GPR). Radar data were collected with 100 MHz antennas that were spaced at 4 m with a step size of 8 m. The images produced from radar survey clearly show the continuity of bedrock echoes and the undulation features of the bedrock surface. Radar results show that the maximum ice thickness of Glacier No.1 is 133 m, the thickness of the east branch of Glacier No. 1 averages at 58.77 m while that of the west branch of Glacier No. 1 averages at 44. 84 m. Calculation on ice volume indicates that the ice volume of the east branch of Glacier No.1 is 51. 87 × 106 m3 and that of the west branch of Glacier No.1 is 20. 21 × 106 m3. The amplitude of the undulation of the bedrock surface topography revealed by radar profiles is larger than that of the glacier surface topography, indicating that the surface relief does not directly depend on that of the bedrock undulation in Glacier No.1, in Tien Shan.

Key words: radio-echo sounding, ice thickness, ice volumn, subice topography