Advances in research on key technology for ice drilling in the polar regions

Abstract:

Ice drilling technologies for the polar regions are the crucial means of obtaining the ice core to investigate the interaction of the polar ice sheet, ice shelf, and ocean; and obtaining subglacial bedrock core and water sample to explore the subglacial environment. At present, the difficulties and frontiers of polar ice drilling technology mainly include deep ice core drilling, ice shelf hot water drilling, subglacial bedrock drilling and subglacial environment sampling, observation technology. In view of the above four key technologies of polar ice drilling, this paper summarizes and sorts out the research progress and project development of related technologies in China and abroad. In general, the research on polar drilling technology started late in China, but the research on the key technologies and equipment of polar ice drilling in China is moving towards surpassing the polar drilling powers in the world, as China’s polar strategy continues to advance. And it will certainly provide a strong technical support for China’s polar scientific research.

Key words:polar regions; deep ice core drilling; hot water drilling; subglacial bedrock drilling; subglacial environment observation