High-resolution radar mapping of internal layers at the North Greenland Ice Core Project

Abstract

Existing accumulation maps with reported errors of about 20% are determined from sparsely distributed ice cores and pits. A more accurate accumulation rate might be obtained by generating continuous profiles of dated layers from high-resolution radar mapping of near-surface internal layers in the ice sheet (isochrones). To generate such profiles we designed and developed an ultrawideband radar for high-resolution mapping of internal layers in the top 200 m of ice and tested it at the North Greenland Ice Core Project drill site. Reflection profiles of 2- and 10-km length reveal horizons that we correlate with electrical conductivity measurement (ECM) recordings. Our results show that the radar-determined depth of internal layers is within ±2 m of that in an ice core collected at a nearby location. Preliminary frequency analyses of layer reflections reveal that the reflections are strongest at the 500-1000 MHz frequency range. Long-term accumulation rate computed from radar data is within 5% of that obtained from snow pits. Copyright 2001 by the American Geophysical Union.