Radio Echo Sounding of Horizontal Layers in Ice

Abstract

Radio echo-sounding surveys of Antarctica and Greenland have revealed extensive layering within the ice. Formulae for the effective reflection coefficient, when viewed by a pulsed radar, are derived for isolated or multiple randomly spaced layers. In the latter case the variation in dielectric constant with depth is described by a vertical autocorrelation function and a standard deviation. Some measurements of the reflection coefficient of layers, and the dielectric absorption of ice are given. The significance of the fading of layer echoes and the possible causes of variations in the dielectric constant are considered and some further investigations are suggested. It is concluded that the echo strengths found in the Antarctic may be explained by multiple layering, and that the necessary fractional change in the dielectric constant may be as small as 10−4. It is suggested that this change in dielectric constant may be due to differences in orientation of anisotropic ice crystals.