Accession Number:

AD1012491

Title:

Autonomous Sea-Ice Thickness Survey

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

ENGINEER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER HANOVER NH HANOVER United States

Personal Author(s):

• Lever,James H.

Report Date:

2016-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

24.0

Abstract:

We conducted an autonomous survey of sea-ice thickness using the Polar rover Yeti to tow an electromagnetic induction meter over sea ice in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. This proof-of-concept survey aimed to demonstrate improved efficiency relative to manual surveys routinely conducted to assess the safety of roads and runways constructed on the sea ice. Yeti executed the autonomous survey on 11 November 2014. This report describes the methods used, compares the measured ice-thickness profiles with manual borehole measurements, assesses the merits of autonomous surveys relative to manual ones, and describes potential future applications.

Descriptors:

• Surveys
• Antarctica
• Ice formation
• thickness
• ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION
• robots
• autonomous navigation

Subject Categories:

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE