Refraction Seismic Investigation at Zemu Glacier, Sikkim

Abstract

Refraction seismic studies conducted on the Zemu Glacier in Sikkim at an altitude of 4 570 m (15 000 ft), indicate that the thickness of the glacier ice varies from about 125 m at the edge of the glacier to about 300 m at the centre. The bedrock section across the glacial valley as drawn on the basis of the seismic data corroborates the fact that the glacier has undergone considerable lateral shrinkage. The observed seismic velocity in the glacier ice, which ranges between 3 500 m/s and 3 700 m/s is in good agreement with the values obtained on glaciers in various parts of the world.