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A new model for estimating subsurface ice content based on combined electrical and seismic data sets

Hauck, Ch. 1; Böttcher, M. 1; Maurer, H.
1 Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung (IMK), Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)

Abstract:

Detailed knowledge of the material properties and internal structures of frozen ground is one of the prerequisites in many permafrost studies. In the absence of direct evidence, such as in-situ borehole measurements, geophysical methods are an increasingly interesting option for obtaining subsurface information on various spatial and temporal scales. The indirect nature of geophysical soundings requires a relation between the measured variables (e.g. electrical resistivity, seismic velocity) and the actual subsurface constituents (rock, water, air, ice). In this work, we present a model which provides estimates of the volumetric fractions of these four constituents from tomographic electrical and seismic images. The model is tested using geophysical data sets from two rock glaciers in the Swiss Alps, where ground truth information in form of borehole data is available. First results confirm the applicability of the so-called 4-phase model, which allows to quantify the contributions of ice-, water- and air within permafrost areas as well as detecting solid bedrock. Apart from a similarly thick active layer with enhanced air content for both rock glaciers, the two case studies revealed a heterogeneous distribution of ice and unfrozen water within Muragl rock glacier, where bedrock was detected at depths of 20–25 m, but a comparatively homogeneous ice body with only minor heterogeneities within Murt`el rock glacier.


Verlagsausgabe §
DOI: 10.5445/IR/1000039307
Originalveröffentlichung
DOI: 10.5194/tc-5-453-2011
Scopus
Zitationen: 89
Web of Science
Zitationen: 70
Dimensions
Zitationen: 96
Cover der Publikation
Zugehörige Institution(en) am KIT Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung (IMK)
KIT-Zentrum Klima und Umwelt (ZKU)
Publikationstyp Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Publikationsjahr 2010
Sprache Englisch
Identifikator ISSN: 1994-0416
urn:nbn:de:swb:90-393070
KITopen-ID: 1000039307
Erschienen in The Cryosphere Discuss
Verlag Copernicus Publications
Band 5
Seiten 787-821
Nachgewiesen in Dimensions
Scopus
Web of Science
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