Thickness and Basal Configuration of Lower Blue Glacier, Washington, Determined by Gravimetry

Abstract

Gravity measurements at 146 stations on lower Blue Glacier were used to determine the subglacial bedrock configuration. The gravity values, station elevations and density contrast were carefully measured, and terrain corrections thoroughly evaluated to insure accuracy of the Bottguer anomalies. A series of successive approximations results in evaluation of the regional gravity field and a three-dimensional model of the glacier whose gravimetric effects fit the range of the observational and computational errors. Comparison with bore holes and seismic reflections indicates no significant errors in the model and accuracies of 5–10 per cent in the calculated thicknesses of the glacier.