Instruments and Methods: Radio-Echo Equipment for Depth Sounding of Temperate Glaciers

Abstract

Abstract Radio echo-sounding equipment has been designed, and used for depth sounding on temperate glaciers in Iceland. Two devices have been built. Mark I operates in the frequency band 2 to 5 MHz. The overall range is 100 to 1000 m. The arrival of the echo can be timed with an accuracy which corresponds to 20 m resolution. The equipment has been used for routine soundings on Mýrdalsjökull and Vatnajökull for the last two years. Mark II operates at 2 to 10 MHz. The range is from 30 to 400 m and the range resolution is 8 m. The equipment has been used for successful soundings on valley glaciers. The power consumption of the whole system is 18 W plus 72 W for the oscilloscope (Tektronix Model 465). The voltage is supplied from 12 V car batteries. The total weight of the equipment is about 35 kg plus the weight of batteries. The antennae are contained in 16 mm plastic tubes. The equipment is placed on two sledges and towed behind a snowmobile or a skidoo. A continuous sounding record is photographed from the oscilloscope.