IDDO maintains and operates existing drill equipment, and develops new systems with two principal foci:
1. to provide high quality ice cores, and
2. to produce boreholes that provide access to the interior and beds of ice sheets and glaciers for such purposes as embedding instruments, collecting gas samples, setting seismic charges, and studying subglacial processes
IDDO Equipment Descriptions
Click on the drill names below to learn more about them.
Non-coring
Kamb-Engelhardt Hot Water Drill
The Kamb-Engelhardt Hot Water Drill has been used to drill holes approximately 100 mm in diameter to depths of 1200 meters. This drill is also known as the CalTech Drill.
The Kamb-Engelhardt Hot Water Drill has been used to drill holes approximately 100 mm in diameter to depths of 1200 meters. This drill is also known as the CalTech Drill.
Portable Hot Water Drills
Portable and hand-held hot-water drills used for producing shot holes and shallow access holes. These are firn drills with no return water flow.
Portable and hand-held hot-water drills used for producing shot holes and shallow access holes. These are firn drills with no return water flow.
Rapid Air Movement (RAM) Drill
Rapid Air Movement drill for the fast production of deep seismic shot holes approximately 100 mm in diameter to depths of 90 meters.
Rapid Air Movement drill for the fast production of deep seismic shot holes approximately 100 mm in diameter to depths of 90 meters.
Coring
10-cm (4-inch) Electromechanical Drill
A cable-suspended and motorized version of the hand auger. This drill can be disassembled for transport into remote regions, and retrieves cores 104 mm in diameter up to depths of 350 meters.
A cable-suspended and motorized version of the hand auger. This drill can be disassembled for transport into remote regions, and retrieves cores 104 mm in diameter up to depths of 350 meters.
5-cm (2-inch) Drill
The 5-cm drill is much smaller and lighter than the Badger-Eclipse Drill. The maximum depth to which this model of drill has cored is 42 meters. Core diameter is 51 mm.
The 5-cm drill is much smaller and lighter than the Badger-Eclipse Drill. The maximum depth to which this model of drill has cored is 42 meters. Core diameter is 51 mm.
9-cm (3.5-inch) Electrothermal Drill
For drilling in warm ice; uses same winches as 10-cm (4-inch) drill.
For drilling in warm ice; uses same winches as 10-cm (4-inch) drill.
Badger-Eclipse Drill
The Badger-Eclipse drill is an electromechanical drill that takes 81 mm (3.25-inch) diameter cores up to 400 meters depth. The drill system is transportable by small aircraft or helicopter.
The Badger-Eclipse drill is an electromechanical drill that takes 81 mm (3.25-inch) diameter cores up to 400 meters depth. The drill system is transportable by small aircraft or helicopter.
Chipmunk Small Coring Drill
The Chipmunk Small Coring Drill is designed to retrieve 51 mm diameter ice cores to depths of 0.5 meters.
The Chipmunk Small Coring Drill is designed to retrieve 51 mm diameter ice cores to depths of 0.5 meters.
DISC Drill
An electromechanical drill system capable of cutting and retrieving cores of ice to depths of 4,000 meters. The cores produced by the drill are 122 mm (4.8 inches) in diameter.
An electromechanical drill system capable of cutting and retrieving cores of ice to depths of 4,000 meters. The cores produced by the drill are 122 mm (4.8 inches) in diameter.
Koci Drill
The Koci Drill is designed to perform in ice with entrained sand and rock. The drill can be disassembled into component parts no heavier than 30 kg. Core diameter is 81 mm.
The Koci Drill is designed to perform in ice with entrained sand and rock. The drill can be disassembled into component parts no heavier than 30 kg. Core diameter is 81 mm.
Kovacs Mark II Auger
The Kovacs Mark II can retrieve cores 90 mm in diameter to depths of 5 meters in firn and ice. The Kovacs Mark II coring auger is designed and manufactured by Kovacs Enterprises.
The Kovacs Mark II can retrieve cores 90 mm in diameter to depths of 5 meters in firn and ice. The Kovacs Mark II coring auger is designed and manufactured by Kovacs Enterprises.
Kovacs Mark V Auger
The Kovacs Mark II can retrieve cores 140 mm in diameter to depths of 5 meters in firn and ice. The Kovacs Mark II coring auger is designed and manufactured by Kovacs Enterprises.
The Kovacs Mark II can retrieve cores 140 mm in diameter to depths of 5 meters in firn and ice. The Kovacs Mark II coring auger is designed and manufactured by Kovacs Enterprises.
PICO 10-cm (4-inch) Hand Auger
Hand augers used to retrieve cores 122 mm in diameter to depths of 20 meters.
Hand augers used to retrieve cores 122 mm in diameter to depths of 20 meters.
PICO 8-cm (3-inch) Hand Auger
Hand augers used to retrieve cores 79 mm in diameter to depths of 20 meters.
Hand augers used to retrieve cores 79 mm in diameter to depths of 20 meters.
PrairieDog
A modified hand auger that includes a stationary outer barrel to allow operation in solid ice, as well as firn. The drill can retrieve cores 102 mm in diameter to depths of 40 meters.
A modified hand auger that includes a stationary outer barrel to allow operation in solid ice, as well as firn. The drill can retrieve cores 102 mm in diameter to depths of 40 meters.
Sidewinder
Drive/lifting system for turning and hoisting hand augers and the PrairieDog drill. Driven by an electric motor with a winch to help retrieve the drill string.
Drive/lifting system for turning and hoisting hand augers and the PrairieDog drill. Driven by an electric motor with a winch to help retrieve the drill string.
SIPRE Hand Auger
Traditional hand auger
Traditional hand auger
