Double Reflections in Polarized Radar Data Reveal Ice Fabric in the North East Greenland Ice Stream

Abstract The orientation of ice crystals within large ice masses has a strong influence on their mechanical properties, but cannot be directly observed from the surface. The bulk birefringence of anisotropic ice allows us to infer information about the crystal orientation fabric (COF) from polarized radar measurements. Here, we show a new approach for determining the orientation and strength of horizontal COF anisotropy from two radar reflections originating from the same physical layer in birefringent ice. We apply this method to data collected as part of a ground‐based radar survey of the North East Greenland Ice Stream. We observe a 12‐degree clockwise rotation of the fabric at the center of the ice stream, and a tendency toward a flow‐aligned COF further southeast. This asymmetry across the ice‐stream centerline adds to growing evidence for a more variable ice stream than previously assumed.

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Publication Details

Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
Published
2025-02-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1029/2024gl110453
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Cryospheric studies and observations
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.60

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article

Double Reflections in Polarized Radar Data Reveal Ice Fabric in the North East Greenland Ice Stream

Prasad Gogineni, Daniel Steinhage, Tamara Annina Gerber, Drew Taylor et al.
2 citations
Geophysical Research Letters
Cryospheric studies and observations
2.60
article

Double Reflections in Polarized Radar Data Reveal Ice Fabric in the North East Greenland Ice Stream

Prasad Gogineni, Daniel Steinhage, Tamara Annina Gerber, Drew Taylor, Christine S. Hvidberg, David A. Lilien, Dorthe Dahl‐Jensen, Niels F. Nymand
article en
2 citations

Abstract

Abstract The orientation of ice crystals within large ice masses has a strong influence on their mechanical properties, but cannot be directly observed from the surface. The bulk birefringence of anisotropic ice allows us to infer information about the crystal orientation fabric (COF) from polarized radar measurements. Here, we show a new approach for determining the orientation and strength of horizontal COF anisotropy from two radar reflections originating from the same physical layer in birefringent ice. We apply this method to data collected as part of a ground‐based radar survey of the North East Greenland Ice Stream. We observe a 12‐degree clockwise rotation of the fabric at the center of the ice stream, and a tendency toward a flow‐aligned COF further southeast. This asymmetry across the ice‐stream centerline adds to growing evidence for a more variable ice stream than previously assumed.

Geophysical Research LettersVol. 52(3)
University of Copenhagen (DK), Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung (DE), University of Alabama (US), Center For Remote Sensing (United States) (US), Indiana University Bloomington (US), University of Manitoba (CA)
Canada Excellence Research Chairs, Government of Canada, Novo Nordisk, Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond, Novo Nordisk Fonden
Life below water
Openalex Percentile: Top 14%
Cryospheric studies and observations
2.60
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