Estimation of glacier depth and moraine cover study using ground penetrating radar (GPR) in the Himalayan region

Abstract

Himalayan region has one of the largest concentrations of mountain glaciers whose areal extent is changing due to global warming. In order to assess future changes in glacier extent due to global warming, information about glacier depth and debris cover is important. In this paper, application of ground penetrating radar (GPR) is discussed to assess glacier depth and debris cover. This investigation was carried out at Patseo and Samudratapu glaciers in Himachal Pradesh (West Himalaya). Antennas of frequency 50 and 100 MHz have been used for glacier depth and 500 MHz for moraine depth estimation. GPR signatures of glaciers were collected and further analyzed using velocities of electromagnetic waves in different media. The depth of Patseo glacier was estimated as 40 m. However, depth of the larger Samudra Tapu glacier could not be estimated using 50 and 100 MHz antennas. The depth of moraines was estimated using 500 MHz antenna and it varies from 0.35 cm to 0.85 cm for medial and around 1–2 m for lateral moraine at the experimental site.