WAIS Divide

EarthScope operates a GPS base station at the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) Divide Camp, Antarctica, in support of National Science Foundation sponsored research. The base station can be used in post-processed static and kinematic surveys, and can provide centimeter-level precision over a wide area surrounding the camp when used in conjunction with geodetic quality roving GPS receivers.

This system was installed in November 2005 and will operate for the duration of the WAIS Divide camp. The original system “WAIS” operated during summer seasons 2005-06 through 2009-10. Due to snow accumulation, it was rebuilt and relocated at the start of the 2010-11 season, and was renamed “WAI2”. Data from the base receiver are available for download by support staff and science users at the camp, and previous seasons data (from stations WAIS and WAI2) are available from the NSF GAGE archive. The system is currently configured for summer-only operation but may be upgraded for year-round operation depending on future scientific needs. At this time the base receiver does not broadcast differential corrections, however the receiver configuration can be modified to suit specific surveying needs.

Equipment Available

A geodetic quality, dual-frequency base station is available at the WAIS Divide camp. When used with geodetic quality roving systems, centimeter-level accuracy can be realized over 100 kilometers away from the station by collecting and post-processing data. A computer is available at the camp for data downloading and backup, and base station data (15-second logging) are available on-line from the GAGE archive (sites WAIS and WAI2) after each field season.

The following GPS equipment is available for use at WAIS Divide:

Trimble NetRS Base Station
Geodetic GPS base station is available for use in post-processed surveys. An interface computer is also provided for data downloading. An equipment inventory is maintained on this page.

Roving Systems
EarthScope can provide geodetic quality GPS roving receivers, such as the Trimble R7, for use in surveying and positioning tasks in the WAIS Divide area. Roving equipment is not permanently assigned to the WAIS camp and must be requested in advance of the field season. All ancillary equipment such as power systems, enclosures, survey controllers, and cabling is also available.

Support

Technical assistance to GPS system users is provided by EarthScope. Users who intend to use the system for a significant amount of field surveying are strongly encouraged to arrange for training prior to their field season. We maintain a presence at McMurdo Station throughout the summer field season, and email/telephone support is available. Field Engineer support may be available for projects with a significant GPS surveying component.

The WAIS base station data (15-second logging) are archived at the end of each summer season. Upon completion of individual projects, GPS data and meta-data archival is also available to Principal Investigators for permanent safeguarding.