Articles | Volume 20, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-1497-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-1497-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
09 Mar 2026
Research article |
| 09 Mar 2026
| 09 Mar 2026
Active-source seismic characterization of subglacial lakes: numerical modeling, field validation, and implications for Antarctic exploration
Kai Lu
Key Laboratory of Polar Science, Ministry of Natural Resources, Polar Research Institute of China, Shanghai, 200136, China
Yuqing Chen
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Exploration and Imaging, School of Geophysics and Information Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China
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Obtaining the physical properties of ice sheets is important. In this study, we use seismic ambient noise to obtain the shallow S-wave velocity structure at the Dome A region. The result agrees with the ice-core data nearby and reveals radial anisotropy in the firn layer. This study demonstrates that cultural seismic noise provides an effective and environmentally friendly way for the imaging of near-surface structures in Antarctica.
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The Cryosphere, 19, 6341–6353, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-6341-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-6341-2025, 2025
Short summary
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Obtaining the physical properties of ice sheets is important. In this study, we use seismic ambient noise to obtain the shallow S-wave velocity structure at the Dome A region. The result agrees with the ice-core data nearby and reveals radial anisotropy in the firn layer. This study demonstrates that cultural seismic noise provides an effective and environmentally friendly way for the imaging of near-surface structures in Antarctica.
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Short summary
Seismic imaging of subglacial lakes is affected by multiple reflections, guided waves, and source-side ghost effects, which dominate seismic records and complicate imaging. Using wavefield simulations under varied geological scenarios and real data analysis, this study clarifies how these effects arise and tests processing methods to reduce them.
Seismic imaging of subglacial lakes is affected by multiple reflections, guided waves, and...
