Disputas: Ola Brandt

Prøveforelesning

Bedømmelseskomité

Professor Robert W. Jacobel, St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota, USA
Dr. Olaf Eisen, Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Tyskland
Professor Andreas Kääb, Institutt for geofag, UiO

Leder av disputas:  Annik Myhre

Veileder:  Jack Kohler, Jon Ove Hagen

Sammendrag

The focus of this thesis has been on using ground penetrating radar to extract subsurface parameters from snow, ice and frozen ground – the cryosphere. Ground penetrating radar is extensively used in earth science, utilizing electromagnetic waves to non-destructively detect and localize subsurface inhomogeneities such as layers or localized objects. While radar data are easily acquired, target-system interaction often leave the user with the comparatively difficult task of interpreting and validating the acquired data.

To improve our understanding of radar as a glaciological tool, we have used extensive ground truthing in the form of excavations and recovering ice core samples. These ground truth data are combined with modeling to study how the electromagnetic waves emitted by the radar interact and respond to complex and highly variable snow and ice media. In this way our knowledge is increased, interpretations made by a user can be verified, and "what-if" scenarios can be constructed, all of which are useful for planning and optimizing surveys to avoid costly mistakes in the field. The combination of modeling, ground truthing and field data comparison help us elucidate processes in the snow and firn of glaciers, aid detection of ice pockets in permafrost, and evaluate runway and road constructions on ice.

Kontaktperson

For mer informasjon, kontakt Anne Gunhild Innes.