Instruments and Methods: A Buoyancy-Stabilized Hot-Point Drill for Glacier Studies

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Abstract
Hot-point drills are practical for producing holes in glaciers for ice-thickness and temperature measurements, as well as other glaciological studies. Buoyancy stabilization assures a vertical attitude of the drill and a plumb hole. This is achieved by designing a drill with a heavy hot point and a light upper section which is buoyant in the surrounding melt water. The buoyant force is less than the weight of the drill in air but its rectifying moment about the fulcrum (the tip) is greater than the tilting moment of the drill weight. Two methods to prevent refreezing of the melt water are proposed in order to permit drilling in cold ice and to assure continued access to the hole.

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