Ice & Snow Investigation
Investigate frozen environments with continuous radar profiles.
Ground penetrating radar can support non-destructive investigation of freshwater ice thickness, snow depth, frozen-ground interfaces and internal layering across cold-region survey environments.
Profile the upper and lower ice interfaces where conditions permit.
Investigate snowpack thickness and internal changes along a traverse.
Collect repeatable profiles rather than relying only on isolated points.
Use radar information to guide drilling, coring or other confirmation.
Investigation Objectives
Build a continuous picture of frozen-layer thickness and variation
Ice and snow GPR surveys can help identify interfaces, thickness changes and internal variation before targeted drilling, engineering assessment or further scientific investigation.
Freshwater ice thickness
Identify radar reflections associated with the upper and lower ice boundaries and use them to assess thickness variation along a survey line.
Snow depth and internal layers
Investigate snowpack thickness and changes in internal layering where sufficient contrast exists between snow horizons.
Frozen-ground interfaces
Map discernible contrasts associated with frozen and unfrozen materials, changing ground conditions or other subsurface interfaces.
Internal ice variation
Identify anomalous or changing reflection patterns that may justify closer inspection, repeat surveying or targeted physical verification.
Survey Methods
Match frequency and deployment to thickness, depth and required detail
Detailed snow and ice investigation
Configurable and multi-frequency GroundVue systems can support surveys where the priority is resolving shallow interfaces, snowpack variation or complementary ice information.
- Configurable antenna selection with GV3
- 250, 500 and 1000 MHz simultaneous collection with TriVue
- Suitable for repeat profiles and systematic traverses
- Positioning information can be integrated with survey data
- Professional radar data retained for interpretation
Low-frequency profiling for greater penetration
Where deeper investigation is required and the survey environment is suitable, low-frequency configurations can be considered for thicker ice or deeper frozen-ground targets.
- GV7 available in 40 or 80 MHz configurations
- Separate transmitter and receiver arrangement
- Common-offset, CMP and WARR survey capability
- Designed for difficult and harsh environments
- External positioning can be recorded with survey data
Investigation Workflow
Calibrate the survey around the frozen environment
Reliable thickness and depth estimates depend on appropriate survey configuration, consistent collection and a realistic understanding of radar-wave velocity in the material being investigated.
Define the survey objective
Establish whether the investigation concerns ice thickness, snow depth, internal layering, frozen ground or a combination of these requirements.
Configure and collect
Select frequency, time window, positioning and deployment method, then collect consistent profiles across the required traverse or survey grid.
Calibrate and verify
Interpret the radar reflections using an appropriate propagation velocity and correlate results with drilling, coring or other physical observations where required.
Recommended Systems
GroundVue systems for cold-region investigation
Final system selection depends on expected thickness, required resolution, penetration, survey geometry, transport constraints and whether the project requires one frequency or complementary datasets.
Configurable professional GPR
GroundVue GV3
A modular controller and antenna platform for professional users who need flexibility across antenna frequency, channel count and mechanical deployment.
- One to eight-channel controller options
- Antenna options from 250 MHz to 6 GHz
- Combined and separate transmitter/receiver formats
Integrated multi-frequency GPR
GroundVue TriVue
Three independent shielded frequencies collected simultaneously, providing complementary shallow, intermediate and deeper radar information in one pass.
- 250, 500 and 1000 MHz channels
- Three simultaneous independent datasets
- Multiple trolley and deployment options
Low-frequency deep investigation
GroundVue GV7
A specialist inline transmitter and receiver system for deeper subsurface investigation and advanced velocity-calibration survey methods.
- 40 or 80 MHz configurations
- Common-offset, CMP and WARR capability
- Designed for harsh and difficult environments
Interpretation & Validation
Thickness estimates depend on material properties and calibration
GPR measures reflection travel time. Converting that information into a reliable thickness or depth estimate requires an appropriate understanding of radar-wave velocity and the survey environment.
Important survey considerations
- Radar-wave velocity can vary with snow density, ice condition, temperature, moisture and the material being investigated.
- Wet, saline or highly conductive conditions can increase attenuation and reduce useful penetration.
- Air gaps, rough surfaces, meltwater, internal fractures and complex layering can make interfaces more difficult to interpret.
- Frequency selection involves a trade-off between resolution and achievable penetration.
- GPR results should not be treated as an independent certification of ice safety. Appropriate local safety procedures and physical verification remain necessary.
Discuss Your Investigation
Configure the survey around the ice, snow and required depth
Tell us about the expected thickness, survey environment, required resolution, traverse distance, positioning needs and the information the investigation must provide.