Prospección sísmica en el Glaciar Johnsons, Isla Livingston (Antártida). (campañas antárticas 1996-1997 y 1997-1998)

Abstract

During two Antarctic summers (1996-97 and 1997-98), five seismic refraction (2.685 m long) and two reflection profiles (2.980 m long) were acquired on Johnsons Glacier (Livingston Island, Antarctica) in order to obtain information about the structure of the ice, characteristics of the ice-rock contact and the basement topography. Seismic refraction is an efficient method for calculating ice thickness and seismic waves velocity; whereas the seismic reflection is recommended because it leads us to a clear seismic image of bedrock topography and ice-bed contact. This study was completed using a raw data analysis (wavefront) which detected ice crevasses and delineated sectors with different glacier structures (accumulation and ablation zones). The information obtained from seismic data about the internal structure of the glacier constrains the glacial dynamics of Johnsons Glacier.