Production drilling at WAIS Divide

Title Production drilling at WAIS Divide
Publication Type
Journal Article
Year
2014
Author(s) Kristina R Slawny , Jay A Johnson, Nicolai B Mortensen, Chris J Gibson, Joshua J Goetz, Alexander J Shturmakov, Donald A Lebar, Anthony W Wendricks
Journal/ Publication
Annals of Glaciology
Volume
55
Issue
68
Pagination
147-155
Abstract

The deep ice-sheet coring (DISC) drill was used for production ice-core drilling at WAIS Divide in Antarctica for six field seasons between 2007 and 2013. Continuous ice-core samples were obtained between the snow surface and 3405 m depth. During the 2012/13 austral summer, the DISC drill’s newly designed replicate ice-coring system was utilized to collect nearly 285m of additional high-quality core samples at depths of high scientific interest. Annual progress graphs are described, as well as milestones achieved over the course of the project. Drilling operations, challenges encountered, drill fluid usage, drilling results, and the drill crew’s experiences with the DISC drill and replicate coring system during production drilling are described and discussed in detail. Core-processing operations are described briefly, as well as the logistical undertaking of the DISC drill’s deployment to Antarctica.

DOI
10.3189/2014AoG68A018
URL
Special Collections International Workshop on Ice Drilling Technology Series, 7th International Workshop on Ice Drilling Technology, WAIS Divide Ice Core Project
Categories Deep Drilling
Equipment Deep Ice Sheet Coring (DISC) Drill
Citation Kristina R Slawny , Jay A Johnson, Nicolai B Mortensen, Chris J Gibson, Joshua J Goetz, Alexander J Shturmakov, Donald A Lebar, Anthony W Wendricks ( 2014 ) Production drilling at WAIS Divide. Annals of Glaciology , 55 , 68 , 147-155 . doi: 10.3189/2014AoG68A018
Lead Author
Kristina R Slawny