High density coverage investigation of The Austre LovénBreen (Svalbard) using Ground Penetrating Radar

Abstract

A three week field survey over April 2010 allowed for the acquisition of 120 Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) profiles, adding to a 40 km long walk across an Arctic glacier. The profiles were acquired using a Malå equipment with 100 MHz antennas, walking slowly enough to record a 2.224 µs trace every 30 cm on the average. Some acquisitions were repeated with 50 MHz or 200 MHz antenna to improve data quality. The GPR was coupled to a GPS system to position traces. Each profile has been manually edited using standard GPR data processing, to pick the reflection arrival time from the ice-bedrock interface. Travel-times were converted to ice thickness using a velocity of 0.17 m/ns. Dual-frequency GPS mapping and snow coverage thickness were acquired during the same survey. Using interpolation methods, we derived the underlying bedrock topography and evaluated the ice volume.