Ice thickness measurements on the Harding Icefield, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Truffer M. 2014. Ice thickness measurements on the Harding Icefield, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. Natural Resource Data Series. NPS/KEFJ/NRDS—2014/655. Fort Collins, Colorado
Ongoing changes in glacier ice volume and extent have impacts on the local and global level. An accurate assessment of these impacts requires knowledge of the current ice thickness distribution. Radio echo sounding is a proven method to obtain ice thickness reliably in temperate ice. Here, a radar system was developed that could be deployed by a small team on skis for ground-based surveys or scaled up for airborne surveys. The ground-based survey proved more reliable for surveys in narrow valleys, while the airborne survey allowed for large data coverage that worked particularly well over an open ice field. The system was deployed in both configurations over the Harding Icefield. Maximum ice thickness exceeds 650 m on the Bear Glacier, indicating that it is grounded well below sea level. The ice thickness on the ice field proper reached values up to 450 m.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Truffer, Martin
- Date of Issue
- 2014-04
- Units
- KEFJ , NRSS
- Keywords
- Alaska, Exit Glacier, Glacier, Harding Ice Field, KEFJ, Kenai Fjords National Park, radio echo sounding
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Air and Climate | Weather and Climate | Weather and Climate , Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Geomorphology | Glacial Features and Processes