First measurement of ice‐bedrock interface of alpine glaciers by cosmic muon radiography

Scientists have successfully applied cosmic muon radiography to map the bedrock topography beneath alpine glaciers for the first time, revealing critical insights into glacial erosion mechanisms. Using emulsion film detectors installed along the Jungfrau railway tunnel in the Swiss Alps, researchers measured the ice-bedrock interface under Aletsch Glacier, uncovering a NE-SW striking bedrock that dips at 45° ± 5°, extending up to 50 meters below the surface. This innovative approach, leveraging cosmic ray muons, offers unprecedented precision in studying glacial geology and promises to advance our understanding of how glaciers shape underlying landscapes.

Nishiyama, R., Ariga, A., Ariga, T., Käser, S., Lechmann, A., Mair, D., Scampoli, P., Vladymyrov, M., Ereditato, A., & Schlunegger, F. (2017). First measurement of ice‐bedrock interface of alpine glaciers by cosmic muon radiography. Geophysical Research Letters, 44(12), 6244–6251. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017gl073599