Collecting a single deep ice core from a given region makes verification of the validity and spatial representativeness of key results difficult. Furthermore, scientific demand for ice samples is unevenly distributed versus depth; the inventory of existing cores is being depleted in depth intervals of high scientific interest. The ability to obtain additional volumes of samples at selected intervals, termed replicate coring, addresses these concerns and adds value to the scientific return from ice coring.
The IDP replicate coring system for the DISC Drill functions by tilting and forcing the sonde against the drill hole wall with ‘actuators’ that push against the wall upon command from the surface. This gradually deviates the drilling out of the main borehole into the side wall and eventually into the new replicate hole. The replicate coring system was constructed in 2011. The system was tested at WAIS Divide, Antarctica, during the 2011-2012 field season. No core was obtained, but using insight from that test, IDP engineers made modifications to the sonde and carried out further testing in Madison. During the 2012-2013 field season at WAIS Divide, the system produced five azimuth and depth-controlled deviations at four target depths. A total of 285 m of excellent quality replicate ice core was recovered.
At the urging of the science community, IDP engineers undertook evaluation of a less complex replicate coring method that might be applied with the Foro 1650 and Foro 3000 drills. A Replicate Coring System for 98mm Electromechanical Drill – Whipstock Conceptual Documentation report was completed, describing a more passive replicate coring approach through implementation of a whipstock device, like those used in the oil and gas industry. IDP believes this concept shows promise for successful implementation at Hercules Dome, Antarctica, with the Foro 3000 Drill.
Status
Decommissioning in progress.
The replicate coring-specific equipment of the DISC Drill system was returned to IDP in Madison in 2013. IDP will soon decommission the DISC Drill and Replicate Coring components and remove them from inventory.
Equipment Details
| Name | Replicate Coring |
|---|---|
| Type |
Type
Ice coring
|
| Number in Inventory |
Number in Inventory
1
|
| Ice Core Diameter |
Ice Core Diameter
108 mm
|
| Ice Core Length |
Ice Core Length
2.0 m
|
| Rock Core Diameter |
Rock Core Diameter
[NA]
|
| Rock Core Length |
Rock Core Length
[NA]
|
| IDP Driller Required? |
IDP Driller Required?
Yes, see Deep Ice Sheet Coring Drill for more information.
|
| Trench Required? | |
| Comments |
Documents
| Citation | Year |
|---|---|
| Pavel Talalay, Hong J (2021) Perspectives for development of ice drilling technology: continuation of the discussion. Annals of Glaciology, 62, (84), 143-156. doi: 10.1017/aog.2020.81. https://doi.org/10.1017/aog.2020.81 | 2021 |
| Mary R Albert, Kristina R Slawny, Grant Boeckmann, Chris J Gibson, Jay A Johnson, Keith Makinson, Julius Rix (2020) Recent Innovations in Drilling in Ice. Chapter 6 of Advances in Terrestrial Drilling: Ground, Ice and Underwater, Bar-Cohen and Zacny, eds., 157-220. https://www.routledge.com/Advances-in-Terrestrial-Drilling-Ground-Ice-and-Under… | 2020 |
| Kyle Zeug (2018) Replicate Coring System for 98mm Electromechanical Drill - Whipstock Conceptual Documentation. 1-16. | 2018 |
| Chris J Gibson, Jay A Johnson, Alexander J Shturmakov, Nicolai B Mortensen, Joshua J Goetz (2014) Replicate ice-coring system architecture: mechanical design. Annals of Glaciology, 55, (68), 165-172. doi: 10.3189/2014AoG68A019. https://doi.org/10.3189/2014AoG68A019 | 2014 |
| Jay A Johnson, Nicolai B Mortensen, Chris J Gibson, Joshua J Goetz, Alexander J Shturmakov (2014) Replicate ice-coring system testing. Annals of Glaciology, 55, (68), 331-338. doi: 10.3189/2014AoG68A034. https://doi.org/10.3189/2014AoG68A034 | 2014 |
| Nicolai B Mortensen, Joshua J Goetz, Chris J Gibson, Jay A Johnson, Alexander J Shturmakov (2014) Replicate ice-coring system architecture: electrical, electronic and software design. Annals of Glaciology, 55, (68), 156-164. doi: 10.3189/2014AoG68A014. https://doi.org/10.3189/2014AoG68A014 | 2014 |
| Alexander J Shturmakov, Donald A Lebar, Charles R Bentley (2014) DISC drill and replicate coring system: a new era in deep ice drilling engineering. Annals of Glaciology, 55, (68), 189-198. doi: 10.3189/2014AoG68A017. https://doi.org/10.3189/2014AoG68A017 | 2014 |
| U.S. Science Community, IDPO (2009) Replicate Ice Coring System - Science Requirements. 1-5. | 2009 |
Photos
Replicate coring system actuator section. Photo: Chris Gibson, IDP-Wisconsin.
SOLIDWORKS rendering of the replicate coring sonde. Photo: Chris Gibson, IDP-Wisconsin.
Replicate coring system broaching head. Photo: Chris Gibson, IDP-Wisconsin.
Replicate coring system milling head. Photo: Chris Gibson, IDP-Wisconsin.
IDP Engineer, Chris Gibson, excitedly holds the first replicate core recovered with the replicate coring system. Photo: Chris Gibson, IDP-Wisconsin.
On Monday, 17 December 2012 at 2:10 PM the first-ever replicate ice core taken from the high-side of the borehole was successfully drilled from 3001 meters depth in the WAIS Divide Ice Core borehole in West Antarctica. The first replicate core was ~80% of a full round core, but as the drilling continued on the new path 100% round cores were obtained. Photo: Jay Johnson, IDP-Wisconsin.
Project History
| 2012-2013 Antarctic - WAIS Divide Replicate Ice Coring |
See Deep Ice Sheet Coring Drill for more information.