An airborne radar survey was conducted over the ice-filled volcanic caldera at Mt. Wrangell, Alaska. Research reported here involves computer processing and interpretation of radio-reflection data acquired over 21 traverses of the summit. In addition to describing useful data enhancement techniques, a dynamic programming approach is introduced for topographically controlled data positioning and spatial correction. Interpretation focusses upon a well defined radio-stratigraphy attributed to high acidity horizons deposited at the ice surface during periods of elevated volcanic activity. A comparative analysis of layer character indicates that echoes from the caldera floor are not continuously detected because of anomalously high signal absorption. Consequently,
results impose a lower limit upon maximum ice thickness. A numerical interpretation scheme, incorporating both glaciological measurements and empirical relations governing the behaviour of firn and ice, is developed to aid interpretation of the glacio-volcanic stratigraphy. Preliminary modelling yields a speculative volcanic record that roughly matches the known eruption sequence at Mt. Wrangell and suggests a significant extension of the volcanic history. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UBC/oai:circle.library.ubc.ca:2429/26195 |
| Date | January 1987 |
| Creators | Cross, Guy Matthew |
| Publisher | University of British Columbia |
| Source Sets | University of British Columbia |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, Thesis/Dissertation |
| Rights | For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use. |
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