Ground-penetrating radar studies of permafrost, periglacial, and near-surface geology at McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Campbell, Seth; Affleck, Rosa T.; Sinclair, Samantha

doi:10.1016/j.coldregions.2017.12.008

Cited by 35 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The goals of this study are to locate areas of excess or massive ice at McMurdo Station, to describe ice thickness and extent, and to provide geotechnical guidance for future construction efforts. To achieve these goals, our objective was to process and analyze the remainder of the GPR dataset that Campbell et al (2018) collected in 2015. We define excess ice as "the volume of ice in the ground which exceeds the total pore volume that the ground would have under natural unfrozen conditions" (Harris et al 1988, 45).…”

Section: Objectivementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The appendix provided contains all the GPR profiles and associated GIS (geographic information system) location maps where excess ice was detected. Campbell et al (2018) collected GPR data in November through December 2015 on and off roads and trails, covering both disturbed and undisturbed surfaces at McMurdo Station. Campbell et al (2018) used a SIR-4000 GPR control unit coupled with model 5106 200 MHz and model 50400 400 MHz shielded antennas, each unit manufactured by Geophysical Survey Systems Incorporated (GSSI).…”

Section: Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Campbell et al (2018) collected GPR data in November through December 2015 on and off roads and trails, covering both disturbed and undisturbed surfaces at McMurdo Station. Campbell et al (2018) used a SIR-4000 GPR control unit coupled with model 5106 200 MHz and model 50400 400 MHz shielded antennas, each unit manufactured by Geophysical Survey Systems Incorporated (GSSI). The GPR was synchronized with a Trimble 5700 and Zephyr geodetic antenna that recorded Global Positioning System (GPS) locations at a frequency of 1 Hz.…”

Section: Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using ground-penetrating radar to delineate regions of massive ice at McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Sinclair¹,

Campbell²,

Arcone³

et al. 2018

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In November through December 2015, ground-penetrating-radar (GPR) data were collected at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, to better understand the near-surface geology, to find and delineate regions of excess or massive ice, and to inform future construction efforts. Of the 55 km of data collected, approximately 40% were analyzed and described in previous studies. In this study, we processed and analyzed the remaining data located within proposed areas for future construction. Both 400 and 200 MHz antennas were used for data collection, with depth penetrations reaching 5 and 10 m for each antenna, respectively. Near-surface features detected include massive or excess ice, bedrock, and buried utilities. Ground-truth data, including soil pits and borehole logs, corroborate our interpretations. A considerable amount of near-surface excess ice likely has anthropogenic origins from runoff refreezing in shaded areas. Our results show that the subsurface of McMurdo is characterized by a substantial amount of frozen ground that will require navigation in both the planning and construction efforts associated with rebuilding McMurdo Station. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents.

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Section: Objectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using ground-penetrating radar to delineate regions of massive ice at McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Sinclair¹,

Campbell²,

Arcone³

et al. 2018

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“…Ground (Ice) Penetrating Radar (GPR) has become commonly used to investigate and characterise dynamics of ice sheets, including their internal stratigraphy and strain history, as well as their response to climatic and subglacial forcings in both Greenland and Antarctica (e.g., Whillans 1976;Siegert 1999;Fahnestock et al 2001;Macgregor et al 2015;Jordan et al 2018a, b). GPR is also an important operational tool used to identify crevassefree travel routes for large tracked vehicles, to identify stable road paths for transition zones between ice shelf and terra firma, and in the location of buried infrastructure ranging from fuel caches to instrumentation (Briggs et al 2016;Campbell et al 2018). The unique setting of the Dry Valleys and extensive use of GPR as both a research and operational tool demonstrate the effectiveness of controlled-source EM studies (as the groundwater system had previously not been identified by numerous other geophysical studies) in high latitudes while reinforcing the limited application of these methods in the ice-covered polar regions given the limited depth of investigation they provide.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the Use of Electromagnetics for Earth Imaging of the Polar Regions

Hill

2019

Surv Geophys

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The polar regions are host to fundamental unresolved challenges in Earth studies. The nature of these regions necessitates the use of geophysics to address these issues, with electromagnetic and, in particular, magnetotelluric studies finding favour and being applied over a number of different scales. The unique geography and climatic conditions of the polar regions means collecting magnetotelluric data at high latitudes, which presents challenges not typically encountered and may result in significant measurement errors. (1) The very high contact resistance between electrodes and the surficial snow and ice cover (commonly MΩ) can interfere with the electric field measurement. This is overcome by using custom-designed amplifiers placed at the active electrodes to buffer their high impedance contacts.(2) The proximity to the geomagnetic poles requires verification of the fundamental assumption in magnetotellurics that the magnetic source field is a vertically propagating, horizontally polarised plane wave. Behaviour of the polar electro-jet must be assessed to identify increased activity (high energy periods) that create strong current systems and may generate non-planar contributions. (3) The generation of 'blizstatic', localised random electric fields caused by the spin drift of moving charged snow and ice particles that produce significant noise in the electric fields during periods of strong winds. At wind speeds above ~ 10 m s −1 , the effect of the distortion created by the moving snow is broad-band. Station occupation times need to be of sufficient length to ensure data are collected when wind speed is low. (4) Working on glaciated terrain introduces additional safety challenges, e.g., weather, crevasse hazards, etc. Inclusion of a mountaineer in the team, both during the site location planning and onsite operations, allows these hazards to be properly managed. Examples spanning studies covering development and application of novel electromagnetic approaches for the polar regions as well as results from studies addressing a variety of differing geologic questions are presented. Electromagnetic studies focusing on near-surface hydrologic systems, glacial and ice sheet dynamics, as well as large-scale volcanic and tectonic problems are discussed providing an overview of the use of electromagnetic methods to investigate fundamental questions in solid earth studies that have both been completed and are currently ongoing in polar regions.

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“…The cryogenic temperatures at which the ice-soil bond releases and the maximum microstructural damage occurs for frozen gravel are not available in published literature. Campbell et al 2018). Even the terrain of fractured rock layers containing massive ice or ice-rich materials (similar to the materials found at McMurdo) when thawed by changing the regime state will lead to deferential settlement.…”

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confidence: 99%

Pollutant concentration in runoff at McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Affleck¹,

Carr²,

Elliot³

et al. 2018

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The plan to modernize McMurdo Station involves constructing large buildings for more efficient facilities and infrastructure. Foundation design for these large buildings will require understanding of the mechanical properties of the native soil. This study is the first that we are aware of to conduct uniaxial compression tests on materials from McMurdo Station in their frozen state. The testing used in this study emulates specific ground conditions measured on-site. Reconstituted specimens of well-graded gravel basalt were compacted at 4% and 20% by weight moisture contents and frozen at temperatures of −7°C and −20°C. Test results determined that higher moisture content combined with lower ambient temperatures resulted in increased strengths compared to optimum moisture and compaction testing results. If new building foundations will be in direct contact with the ground and allow heat transfer to take place, then the base material should be placed and compacted at the optimum moisture content. This will reduce the potential effects of thaw degradation under the foundation, especially on icerich ground. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents.

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Ground-penetrating radar studies of permafrost, periglacial, and near-surface geology at McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Cited by 35 publications

References 13 publications

Using ground-penetrating radar to delineate regions of massive ice at McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Using ground-penetrating radar to delineate regions of massive ice at McMurdo Station, Antarctica

On the Use of Electromagnetics for Earth Imaging of the Polar Regions

Pollutant concentration in runoff at McMurdo Station, Antarctica

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