Dr Leo E. Peters^1,2
1Department of Geosciences,
The Pennsylvania State University
²Earth and Environmental Systems Institute,
The Pennsylvania State University

Date/Time: Tuesday 21 Feb, 12:00
Venue: Centenary 205 (old IASOS seminar room)

 Abstract:
Seismic attenuation α, or internal friction Q^-1, in glacial ice is highly sensitive to temperature, particularly near the melting point. Here we detail a technique to estimate Q, and apply it to active-source seismic data from Jakobshavn Isbrae, Greenland. We compare our results to measured and modeled temperature profiles of the ice in the region. We find an excellent match, with differences between seismically estimated and modeled temperature of less than 2 °C. Mapping variations in seismic Q through glacial ice is thus shown to allow detailed estimation of englacial temperature profiles, which may be of special value in regions where in situ measurements are logistically difficult.