Open AccessA geoelectrical survey above an Antarctic ice shelf
Author(s) -
F. Merlanti,
M. Pavan
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
annals of geophysics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.394
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 2037-416X
pISSN - 1593-5213
DOI - 10.4401/ag-4340
Subject(s) - ice shelf , geology , antarctic ice sheet , drilling , electrical resistivity and conductivity , ice sheet , geophysics , glaciology , reflection (computer programming) , geomorphology , sea ice , paleontology , oceanography , cryosphere , stratigraphy , computer science , engineering , mechanical engineering , electrical engineering , programming language , tectonics
A geoelectrical survey was performed on the Hells Gate ice shelf (Victoria Land-Antarctic) within the framework of an integrated geophysical and glaciological research program. The resistivity profiles show a similar trend, with resistivity values ranging from about 25000 W · m to 5 W · m. These results have been interpreted as the effect of a sharp transition from "marine ice" to "continental" ice an interpretation that is consistent with the results of surface mapping. Interpreting the Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) is a complex process. In fact, the alternating layers of ice with different compositions and salt content generate great uncertainty relative to the corresponding electric stratigraphies. To solve these problems of equivalency, all the available constraints were used including the drilling thickness, seismic reflection profiles as well as radar profiles. The results were used to provide what is mainly a qualitative overview that is coherent with the glaciological hypotheses relative to the evolution and structure proposed by some researchers for this ice shelf