Scattering of VHF radio waves from within the top 700 m of the Antarctic ice sheet and its relation to the depositional environment: a case-study along the Syowa–Mizuho–Dome Fuji traverse

Abstract

Abstract Radio-wave scattering is a convenient method to image the properties of large internal regions of ice sheets. We used a ground-based radar system with short pulses of 60 and 179MHz frequencies to scatter off internal strata within 100–700 m of the surface in the ice sheet of East Antarctica. Data were examined along an 1150 kmlong traverse line that was approximately along the ice flowline from inland of Dome Fuji station to the coast. The scattered waves are from strata, and the dominant cause of the scattering was changes in dielectric permittivity across the strata. Therefore, density fluctuations primarily cause the scattering, although variations in ice-crystal fabrics and acidity could also have effects. The power scattered from the same depths varied by > 15 dB from one location to another. These variations correlate with the accumulation rate, changes in the surface slope, and subglacial bedrock undulations. Variations of the scattered power suggest that density contrasts in the strata are highly variable depending on these interdependent local conditions. The distribution of strata along the route allowed estimates of the ice-flow trajectories to depths of about 250 m.