Seismic Investigations of Ice Stream C and D

I spent two and half months during the 2002-2003 field season as part of a team studying the basal properties of Ice Streams C and D in West Antarctica. We primarily used the seismic reflection technique, looking for changes in amplitude of the reflections that varied in a predictable manner with offset between the explosion and the receivers. This research is closely related to my PhD thesis research. The project was led by Dr. Sridhar Anandakrishnan and the official web page for the project can be found here.

Scientifically, the trip was very successful. We traversed over 1000 miles on snow machines, collecting seismic data on five transects. We began at a camp on the upper reaches of Ice Stream D, drove 10 snowmachines to the old UpC camp, then to an upper branch of C, and across and back to D. The transects were designed to cross boundaries such as an ice stream / ice sheet margin or an active / inactive stretch of an ice stream. The data were not fully processed in the field, but preliminary results were encouraging.

This was my first trip to Antarctica, and I learned a lot in addition to the science. Unlike working in the Arctic, working in the Antarctic is very regimented. McMurdo is small city on the coast of the continent that is occupied by over 1000 people whose sole purpose for being there is to support science. They are so committed to this task, in fact, that they insist you accept their help. Everyone I dealt with was very friendly, sincere and professional, but it was certainly a culture shock compared my previous field experiences.

Here are a few pictures from the trip.

Ready to head out to work one morning

One of our many camps on the ice streams.

Ash and Andy refueling the hot water drill used to drill our shot holes.

Me, drilling.

Leo and Peter, loading a shot hole.

Click here for an explosive movie.
Note Paul slowly backing up, and the bravery of the cameraman towards the end.

LC-130s, doing the long hops.

Twin Otters, taking out the garbage. Except on weekends...

C141s, getting us home.