Antarctic Aerogeophysical Measurements from ICECAP II Campaigns

Georeferenced instrument data from the 2015-2017 ICECAP II airborne campaigns over Antarctica. The collection includes 50 Hz GPS positioning, 10 Hz magnetic field, and 3.5 Hz laser altimetry measurements. It was produced by the International Collaborative Exploration of the Cryosphere through Airborne Profiling, funded by the US National Science Foundation and supported by the Australian Antarctic Division.

Use Cases

• Reprocess raw laser altimetry (ELUTP1B) and magnetic field (EMGEO1B) streams using the high-precision 50 Hz GPS positions (EPUTG1B) as a timing and geolocation source.
• Analyze 10 Hz total magnetic field data (EMGEO1B) to model subglacial bathymetry and constrain the depth to crystalline bedrock.
• Calculate ice sheet elevation change by comparing repeat-track laser range data (ELUTG1B) from different campaign years.
• Fuse the multi-sensor L1B data streams to create custom derived products for specific regions of the Antarctic ice sheet.

Strengths

• Multi-sensor data collection includes synchronized positioning, magnetics, and laser altimetry.
• Data is georeferenced, time-registered, and converted to SI units for direct scientific use.
• Campaigns cover two consecutive Antarctic seasons (2015/16 and 2016/17), enabling temporal analysis.

Limitations

• Specific row counts, file sizes, and spatial extents for each data stream are not provided.
• Laser altimetry data (ELUTG1B) lacks orientation corrections, requiring additional processing for certain analyses.
• As raw L1B data, it requires significant expertise and processing to convert into geophysical observables.

Provenance

Source

International Collaborative Exploration of the Cryosphere through Airborne Profiling (ICECAP), with data managed by the Australian Antarctic Data Centre (AU_AADC).

Collection Method

Airborne profiling measurements collected via instrumented aircraft during Antarctic field campaigns.

Time Range

2015 to 2017 (specifically ICP7 and ICP8 campaigns).

Freshness

Data collection concluded in early 2017; no ongoing updates indicated.

Geography

Antarctic ice sheet and outlet glaciers (specific flight lines not detailed).