Cryosphere geophysics
The cryosphere (e.g. glaciers, permafrost and sea-ice) changes rapidly under the impact of global warming. Mountain glaciers represent a critical resource for freshwater supply and hydropower energy. Clearly, these features are of high societal importance. Involved processes are governed by the physical properties of glaciers, either within the ice mass or at the glacier bed, which are often not directly accessible. The EEG group develops new geophysical measurement and processing techniques to characterize the internal structures of the cryosphere with a minimum effort and on largest scales possible.
Presently the main focus is on:
- Surveying of glacier thickness, glacier bed-geometry using helicopter ground penetrating radar (GPR).
- Comprehensive 3D characterisation of basal conditions and englacial features within a temperate alpine glacier using seismic and surface based GPR.
- Investigating temperate glacial ice properties through borehole geophysical analysis (borehole seismic and GPR) and ice core drilling.
Past studies involved characterization of alpine block glaciers using geoelectrical, seismic and radar methods or the determination of sea-ice thickness and water content using surface nuclear magnetic resonance and electromagnetic induction. The EEG group works in close collaboration with the glaciology division of ETH Zurich.
Current members:
Hansruedi Maurer, Melchior Grab, Greg Church, Sebastian Hellmann, Lisbeth Langhammer
