Vertical strain determination in the Antarctic ice sheet using optical fibers

Mark A. Zumberge

doi:10.1117/12.484259

22 July 2003 Vertical strain determination in the Antarctic ice sheet using optical fibers

Mark A. Zumberge

Proceedings Volume 5050, Smart Structures and Materials 2003: Smart Sensor Technology and Measurement Systems; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.484259
Event: Smart Structures and Materials, 2003, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

As part of a program to measure and model vertical strain in the West Antarctic ice Sheet, we developed a new sensor to accurately and stably record displacements. The sensors consist of optical fibers, encased in thin-walled stainless steel tubes, frozen into hot-water drilled boreholes, and stretched from the surface to various depths in the ice sheet ranging to 1000 m. An EDM (electronic distance meter) connected annually to the fibers read out their absolute lengths with a precision of about 2 mm. An initial elongation of about 0.15% of the optical fibers allowed them to follow an ice thinning rate of 300 ppm per year for up to five years. Two sets of five sensors were installed in the 1997-1998 field season: one set was near the Siple Dome core hole (an ice divide) and a second set was on the flank 7 km to the north (the ice thickness at both sites is approximately 1000 m).

Citation Download Citation

Mark A. Zumberge "Vertical strain determination in the Antarctic ice sheet using optical fibers", Proc. SPIE 5050, Smart Structures and Materials 2003: Smart Sensor Technology and Measurement Systems, (22 July 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.484259

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