Research at Khumbu Glacier, Nepal
Research overview
Collaborating on the EverDrill project with Duncan Quincey (University of Leeds) and Ann Rowan (University of Sheffield), we drilled and instrumented boreholes at four sites across the low-angle tongue of Khumbu Glacier, Nepal. The extreme elevation of Khumbu Glacier - with our drill sites at 5,000 - 5,500 m above sea level - presented numerous logistical difficulties, foremost amongst which were (i) gaining access to appropriate sites on the debris-covered glacier surface, (ii) transporting heavy equipment to those sites, and (iii) maintaining participant health and safety throughout the process.
EverDrill's boreholes extended to depths of up to 175 m. Boreholes were logged on-site by OPTV and wired strings of thermistors and tilt cells were inserted to record long-term englacial ice temperature and deformation respectively. These borehole data were supplemented by surface dye-tracer experiments, geological mapping and debris sampling. To our knowledge, no borehole intersected a subglacial drainage system at the ice-bed interface (inferred from an absence of any detectable fall in borehole water-level upon 'connection' in any borehole).
Data from these borehole and surface experiments allowed us to characterise and quantify several of the internal properties of a high-elevation debris-covered glacier for the first time. Contributing to the process inclusion and boundary conditions of EverDrill's computer model of glacier dynamics and geometrical change.
Funding:
Natural Environment Research Council: EverDrill Project, 2016 - 2019
