Electronic Measurement of Ice Velocity

Abstract
A light-weight solid-state electronic distance meter was used to measure short-term ice velocities during a two-day interval on the Coleman Glacier at Mt Baker, Washington, U.S.A. The velocities fluctuated rapidly from zero or almost zero to a large fraction of a meter per day. There was little or no correlation between the movement at different stations and the fluctuations masked any diurnal variation if such existed. The ease of obtaining the results demonstrates the utility of the new equipment for extending the possibilities of glaciological research.