Mapping ice in firn with airborne ice-penetrating radar

Chan, Kristian

doi:10.1038/s43017-022-00290-z

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Differences in range resolution between two airborne radar systems, operating at different frequencies and bandwidths, can be used to investigate bulk properties of the near-surface (Chan, 2022). This approach is useful in the absence of data capable of resolving the near-surface stratigraphy (e.g., firn cores, surface-based radar, or high-frequency airborne icepenetrating radar).…”

Section: Dual-frequency Characterization Of Near-surface Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial characterization of near-surface structure and meltwater runoff conditions across the Devon Ice Cap from dual-frequency radar reflectivity

Chan,

Grima,

Rutishauser

et al. 2023

The Cryosphere

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Abstract. Melting and refreezing processes in the firn of the Devon Ice Cap control meltwater infiltration and runoff across the ice cap, but their full spatial extent and effect on near-surface structure is difficult to measure with surface-based traverses or existing satellite remote sensing. Here, we derive the coherent component of the near-surface return from airborne ice-penetrating radar surveys over the Devon Ice Cap, Canadian Arctic, to characterize firn containing centimeter- to meter-thick ice layers (i.e., ice slabs) formed from refrozen meltwater in firn. We assess the use of dual-frequency airborne ice-penetrating radar to characterize the spatial and vertical near-surface structure of the Devon Ice Cap by leveraging differences in range resolution of the radar systems. Comparison with reflectivities using a thin layer reflectivity model, informed by surface-based radar and firn core measurements, indicates that the coherent component is sensitive to the near-surface firn structure composed of quasi-specular ice and firn layers, limited by the bandwidth-constrained radar range resolution. Our results suggest that average ice slab thickness throughout the Devon Ice Cap percolation zone ranges from 4.2 to 5.6 m. This implies conditions that can enable lateral meltwater runoff and potentially contribute to the total surface runoff routed through supraglacial rivers down glacier. Together with the incoherent component of the surface return previously studied, our dual-frequency approach provides an alternative method for characterizing bulk firn properties, particularly where high-resolution radar data are not available.

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Section: Dual-frequency Characterization Of Near-surface Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial characterization of near-surface structure and meltwater runoff conditions across the Devon Ice Cap from dual-frequency radar reflectivity

Chan,

Grima,

Rutishauser

et al. 2023

The Cryosphere

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…from HiCARS to a first-order, when coherent reflections are generated within the HiCARS range resolution. Differences in range resolution between two IPRs, operating at different frequencies and bandwidths, can be used to investigate bulk properties of the near-surface (Chan, 2022). This approach is useful in the absence of data capable of resolving the near-surface stratigraphy (e.g., firn cores, GPR or high-frequency airborne ice-penetrating radar).…”

Section: Model Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial characterization of near-surface structure and meltwater runoff conditions across Devon Ice Cap from dual-frequency radar reflectivity

Chan

Grima²,

Rutishauser³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Abstract. Melting and refreezing processes in the firn of Devon Ice Cap control meltwater infiltration and runoff across the ice cap, but their full spatial extent and effect on near-surface structure is difficult to measure with ground-based traverses or existing satellite remote sensing. Here, we derive the coherent component of the near-surface return from airborne ice-penetrating radar over Devon Ice Cap, Canadian Arctic, to characterize firn containing centimeter to meter-thick ice layers (i.e., ice slabs) formed from refrozen meltwater in firn. Comparison with reflectivities using a thin layer reflectivity model, informed by ground-based radar and firn core measurements, indicate that the coherent component is sensitive to the near-surface firn structure composed of quasi-specular ice and firn layers, limited by the bandwidth-constrained radar range resolution. By leveraging their differences in range resolution, we assess the use of dual-frequency airborne ice-penetrating radar to characterize the spatial and vertical near-surface structure of Devon Ice Cap. Our results suggest that average ice slab thickness throughout the Devon Ice Cap percolation zone ranges from 4.2 to 5.6 m. This implies conditions that can enable lateral meltwater runoff and potentially contribute to the total surface runoff routed through supraglacial rivers down glacier. Together with the incoherent component of the surface return previously studied, our dual-frequency approach provides an alternative method for characterizing bulk firn properties, particularly where ground-based and higher frequency radar data are not available.

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Mapping ice in firn with airborne ice-penetrating radar

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

Spatial characterization of near-surface structure and meltwater runoff conditions across the Devon Ice Cap from dual-frequency radar reflectivity

Spatial characterization of near-surface structure and meltwater runoff conditions across the Devon Ice Cap from dual-frequency radar reflectivity

Spatial characterization of near-surface structure and meltwater runoff conditions across Devon Ice Cap from dual-frequency radar reflectivity

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