Intermediate-depth ice coring of high-altitude and polar glaciers with a lightweight drilling system

Title Intermediate-depth ice coring of high-altitude and polar glaciers with a lightweight drilling system
Publication Type
Journal Article
Year
2005
Author(s) Victor Zagorodnov , Lonnie G Thompson, Patrick Ginot, Mikhalenko V
Journal/ Publication
Journal of Glaciology
Volume
51
Issue
174
Pagination
491-501
Abstract

A total of 11 ice cores to a maximum depth of 460 m have been obtained over the past 3 years from high-altitude glaciers on the saddle of Mount Bona and Mount Churchill in Alaska (designated B–C), and on Quelccaya ice cap and Nevado Coropuna in Peru. Ice coring was conducted using an intermediate-depth drilling system. The system includes an electromechanical drill (EMD) and an ethanol thermal electric drill (ETED). The EMD permitted an average ice-core production rate (ICPR) of 7.0 m h−1 down to 150 m. An average ICPR of 2 m h−1 to 460 m depth was possible with the ETED. The quality of the B–C ice cores is better than that of cores previously drilled with an EMD and ETED system. A new cutter design, drilling with a lubricant/cutting fluid and a new anti-torque assembly were tested in the laboratory and in glacier boreholes. We examine the performance of the drills in cold and temperate ice and in clean and particle-laden ice. The influence of the ethanol drilling fluid on ice-core isotopic, ionic and dust composition is discussed.

DOI
10.3189/172756505781829269
URL
Categories Alpine/High-Altitude, Englacial Debris/Rock Glaciers, Lightweight/Portable, Thermal Drilling
Equipment BPRC Intermediate Depth Drilling System, Electrothermal (ET/ETED/ATED) Drills
Citation Victor Zagorodnov , Lonnie G Thompson, Patrick Ginot, Mikhalenko V ( 2005 ) Intermediate-depth ice coring of high-altitude and polar glaciers with a lightweight drilling system. Journal of Glaciology , 51 , 174 , 491-501 . doi: 10.3189/172756505781829269
Lead Author
Victor Zagorodnov