Method of Investigation of Internal Structure of Ice Hummocks and Stamukhas Using the Thermal Drilling Technique

V. V. Kharitonov and V. A. Morev

Computer recording of thermal drilling rate of ice hummocks and stamukhas gives the objective information on their internal structure and basic morphometric characteristics. Methods of determination of the consolidation layer of ice hummocks and stamukhas and the thermal drilling data processing technique are considered in the paper. The reliability of determination of consolidated layer boundaries on the basis of the thermal drilling rate should be corroborated by the temperature measurements. To estimate the time spent for the ice hummock temperature measurement using the polyethylene tubes which are put into the boreholes and filled with the antifreeze, the experimental study of the borehole freezing rate was carried out depending on the temperature and salinity of ice. The results of experiments corroborating the existence of convection in the antifreeze are given. The used methods of ice hummock temperature measurement are discussed. The method of investigation of ice formations combining the thermal drilling technique and ice temperature measurement on the borehole wall enables to obtain the accurate data on the position of the lower boundary of consolidated layer, although it results in a smaller number of the boreholes.