The ECLIPSE drill: a field-portable intermediate-depth ice-coring drill

A derivative of the Danish tipping-lower intermediate-depth ice-coring drill system has been developed for use in remote areas. The system as described is capable of drilling to depths of 250 m, although the drill has been proven to 350 m. The drill system is designed to be transported by hand and consumes 700 W maximum power from a 24 V Ac. battery bank charged by solar panels or a small generator. A field test in the St Elias Mountains, Yukon, produced good-quality core to 161.6 m depth; drilling at 6500 m a.s.l. on Far East Rongbuk Glacier, Mount Everest, produced good core to 42 m depth.