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Active seismoelectric exploration of glaciers
Author(s) -
Kulessa B.,
Murray T.,
Rippin D.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2006gl025758
Subject(s) - geology , glacier , borehole , depth sounding , electrokinetic phenomena , geomorphology , ice core , snow , geophysics , remote sensing , geotechnical engineering , materials science , oceanography , climatology , nanotechnology
Repeatable and strong seismoelectric signals were recorded on Glacier de Tsanfleuron, Switzerland, using a vertical sounding geometry. Electromagnetic waves are inferred to be generated by electrokinetic conversion of seismic energy within the snow pack and near the dry‐wet ice and ice‐bed interfaces. A simple gradient‐based scheme allows such electrokinetic interface responses (EIRs) to be isolated from noise. EIRs depend sensitively on the azimuthal orientation of the receiving array of electrical dipoles. Seismoelectric techniques promise to allow mapping even of thin water‐bearing strata within or beneath glaciers or frozen ground, estimation of hydraulic or fluid properties of such strata, as well as monitoring of ice fracturing or basal properties and processes at improved spatial resolution.