Signal characteristics of surface seismic explosive sources near the West Antarctic Ice Sheet divide
Marianne S. Karplus,
Nori Nakata,
Galen M. Kaip,
Steven H. Harder,
Lucia F. Gonzalez,
Adam D. Booth,
Emma C. Smith,
Stephen A. Veitch,
Jacob I. Walter,
Poul Christoffersen
Affiliations
Marianne S. Karplus
Dept. of Earth, Environmental, and Resources Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
Nori Nakata
Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachussetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
Galen M. Kaip
Dept. of Earth, Environmental, and Resources Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
Steven H. Harder
Dept. of Earth, Environmental, and Resources Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
Lucia F. Gonzalez
Dept. of Earth, Environmental, and Resources Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
Adam D. Booth
School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, AL, USA
Emma C. Smith
School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, AL, USA
Stephen A. Veitch
Dept. of Earth, Environmental, and Resources Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA Earthscope Consortium, Socorro, NM, USA
Jacob I. Walter
School of Geosciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
Poul Christoffersen
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science, Hobart, TAS, Australia
Seismic imaging in 3-D holds great potential for improving our understanding of ice sheet structure and dynamics. Conducting 3-D imaging in remote areas is simplified by using lightweight and logistically straightforward sources. We report results from controlled seismic source tests carried out near the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide investigating the characteristics of two types of surface seismic sources, Poulter shots and detonating cord, for use in both 2-D and 3-D seismic surveys on glaciers. Both source types produced strong basal P-wave and S-wave reflections and multiples recorded in three components. The Poulter shots had a higher amplitude for low frequencies (50 Hz) relative to the detonating cord. Amplitudes, frequencies, speed of source set-up, and cost all suggested Poulter shots to be the preferred surface source compared to detonating cord for future 2-D and 3-D seismic surveys on glaciers.
