Electromagnetic reflection survey 1986 at the Inland Ice margin of the Pâkitsoq basin, central West Greenland

Abstract

The first successful application of electromagnetic ref1ection (EMR) techniques for determination of ice thickness in the outermost margin of the Inland Ice adjacent to the Pâkitsoq basin took place in luly 1985 (Thorning et al., 1986). Although the survey was planned as a series of experiments to examine why previous attempts had not worked, the EMR data acquired were of very good quality and could be compiled into a preliminary map of ice thickness and a map of the subglacial topography over part of the region. Thus, by early 1986 it Rapp. Grønlands geol. Unders. 135, 87-95 (1987) was known that the method worked and could be compiled through to the final product. With the increasing interest in this region, which is the planned location of the first hydroelectric power plant in Greenland, it was necessary to return in 1986 to survey the area in greater detail and to extend the coverage to the east. This note describes the field work carried out in April 1986 and the subsequent compilation and analysis of the combined EMR data sets from 1985 and 1986.