Mapping subglacial surfaces of temperate valley glaciers by two-pass migration of a radio-echo sounding survey

High-resolution maps of the glacier bed are developed through a pseudo-three-dimensional migration of a dense array of radio-echo sounding profiles. Resolution of three-dimensional maps of subglacial surfaces is determined by the radio-echo sounding wavelength, data spacing in the field, and migration. Based on synthetic radio-echo sounding profile experiments, the maximum resolution of the final map cannot exceed one half-wavelength. A methodology of field and processing techniques is outlined to develop a maximum-resolution map of the glacier bed. The field and processing techniques are used to develop a map of the glacier bed below part of Worthington Glacier, a temperature valley glacier in south-central Alaska. The field techniques and the processing steps used on the glacier result in a map of 20 m × 20 m resolution.