Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-646
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-646
07 May 2024
 | 07 May 2024

Spectral characteristics of seismic ambient vibrations reveal subglacial hydraulic changes beneath Glacier de la Plaine Morte, Switzerland

Janneke van Ginkel, Fabian Walter, Fabian Lindner, Miroslav Hallo, Matthias Huss, and Donat Fäh

Abstract. Glaciers have a complex hydraulic and dynamic behavior that needs to be investigated to improve our understanding of changes in the cryosphere. To tackle this issue, we employ various passive seismic analysis methods on continuous measurements from a temporary seismic array deployed on Glacier de la Plaine Morte in Switzerland. First, we asses the reliability of ambient noise Horizontal-to-Vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) measurements to the glacier's dynamic environment. The spatiotemporal variations in HVSR curves are predominantly attributed to changing nearby noise conditions influenced by hydraulic, drainage-related tremors, moulin resonances and anthropogenic sources. A careful analysis of the local noise source variations related to glacier dynamic behaviour in order to distinguish between source and medium changes reflected in the HVSR measurements. Only a few hours of HVSR measurements may lead to biases in the interpretation of the HVSR curve. Despite the influence of these external factors, with long time series of the HVSR measurements, we successfully detect a spatiotemporal trend in HVSR curves. Notably, an HVSR trough emerges following the drainage of Lac des Faverges, an ice-marginal lake that rapidly drains, causing water to flow through a channelized system beneath the glacier. This HVSR trough is indicative of a low-seismic velocity layer at the ice-bed interface. Seismic velocity changes derived by interferometry support the presence of a low-velocity layer at the ice-bedrock interface. Inversion and forward modelling reveal a probable thickness of this low-velocity layer of 10–30 m and a change in S-wave velocity up to 40 %. This layer has a local extend covering an estimated 4.5 to 27 % of the glacier, as indicated by the spatial variations in HVSR trough throughout the array and an independent water volume estimate. The changing seismic velocities are thus a manifestation of temporal water storage at the glacier bed in response to sudden injection of lake water. Our results highlight the value of long time series of HVSR measurements which show variations in the peak/trough structure that reflect hydraulic changes beneath the ice surface.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Janneke van Ginkel, Fabian Walter, Fabian Lindner, Miroslav Hallo, Matthias Huss, and Donat Fäh

Status: final response (author comments only)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-646', Andreas Köhler, 21 Jun 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Janneke van Ginkel, 26 Jul 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-646', Florent Gimbert, 24 Jun 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC2', Janneke van Ginkel, 26 Jul 2024
Janneke van Ginkel, Fabian Walter, Fabian Lindner, Miroslav Hallo, Matthias Huss, and Donat Fäh
Janneke van Ginkel, Fabian Walter, Fabian Lindner, Miroslav Hallo, Matthias Huss, and Donat Fäh

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Short summary
This study on Glacier de la Plaine Morte in Switzerland employs various passive seismic analysis methods to identify complex hydraulic behaviours at the ice-bedrock interface. In 4 months of seismic records, we detect spatiotemporal variations in the glacier's basal interface, following the drainage of an ice-marginal lake. We identify a low-velocity layer, whose properties are determined using modeling techniques. This low-velocity layer results from temporary water storage within the glacier.