Velocity of radio waves in glaciers as an indicator of their hydrothermal state, structure and regime

Abstract The results of measurements of radio-wave velocities (RWV) by wide-angle reflection (WAR) methods in the temperate Abramov Glacier in the Alai Mountain Ridge and the “two-layered” sub-polar Fridtjovbreen and Hansbreen on Svalbard using a low-frequency (2–13 MHz) radar are considered and discussed. The experimental data obtained and the data from the literature show that the values of RWV could be a good indicator of the hydrothermal state of glaciers. As such, these data enable the identification of cold, temperate and transitional (two-layered) glaciers, and can be used for estimation of the water content in glaciers and changes in the hydrothermal state.