Ross Ice Shelf (Antarctica) in situ radio-frequency attenuation

Abstract

AbstractWe have measured the in situ average electric field attenuation length, 〈Lα〉, for radio-frequency signals broadcast vertically through the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica. We chose a location, Moore Embayment, south of Minna Bluff, known for its high reflectivity at the ice–sea interface. We confirmed specular reflection and used the return pulses to measure the average attenuation length from 75–1250 MHz over the round-trip distance of 1155 m. We find 〈Lα〉 to vary from ∼500 m at 75 MHz to ∼300 m at 1250 MHz, with an experimental uncertainty of 55–15 m.