Determining the location and size of cracks on the Garabashi glacier using ground penetrating radar surveys
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction. The most famous recreational area of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic and the entire North Caucasus is the Elbrus region, where the all-season tourist and recreational complex “Elbrus Resort” is being developed. One area with potential for further development for all-season skiing is the Garabashi Glacier. The aim of the research: to determine the location and size of cracks on the Garabashi glacier using ground penetrating radar surveys. Research materials and methods. To map ice cracks and assess snow accumulation on sections of the Garabashi Glacier, ground-based radar measurements were conducted on June 4 and 5, 2025. A total of 14.7 km were covered. An OKO ground-penetrating radar (GPR) manufactured by the Russian company GEOTECH was used for the measurements. The control unit is connected to a field laptop running Geoscan 32 software, which controls the radar. Radar control, initial processing, and visualization were performed using Geoscan 32 software. Further processing and analysis of the ground penetrating radar data was performed using Radexpro software. Research results. The total number of measurement points along the profiles was 2,180,526. Data from a traditional snow survey using a probe, conducted over a 100x100 m grid (270 points) across the entire accessible glacier area as part of monitoring and balance work, was used to verify the radar survey data. Discussion of research results. At least 3,108 crevasses were identified on the surveyed section of the glacier, of which 2,502 crevasses pose a significant hazard. Analysis and interpretation of the UAV-based aerial survey revealed at least 2,000 crevasses on the surveyed section of the Garabashi Glacier, which correlates well with the data obtained during the radar survey. The longest of the discovered crevasses can reach over 230 meters in length, with widths ranging from 20-30 cm to 3 meters or more. These crevasses often create an impassable labyrinth on the glacier surface, hidden under a layer of seasonal snow and firn. Conclusion. A combined analysis of the obtained radar and UAV data showed that the crevasses can reach a width of 3-5 meters and a depth of over 10 meters. Only the westernmost part of the glacier, adjacent to the moraine between the Bochki station and Priyut 11, is approximately 1,300 meters long and 200-500 meters wide, and is relatively safe for use as ski slopes. Conclusions to the article. Using high-resolution UAV images (5-30 cm) taken at the very end of the snowmelt period, it is possible to assess not only the position of crevasses but also their width, which is an important parameter for assessing the safety of a selected glacier section for ski slopes.
Institution: North-Caucasian Mining and Metallurgical Institute
Language: English
Subfield: Atmospheric Science
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7142556445