Thermal Deep Drilling in Central Greenland (Thermische Tiefbohrung in Zentralgronland)

Abstract : Drilling into ice represents essentially a different problem than geologic boring. From an engineering standpoint, the main problems involve the viscous deformation of the ice and the refreezing of the melted water, from which drilling rods or cables become jammed unless preventive measures are undertaken. In the deep ice drillings, one is interested primarily in the temperature profile. The author developed a thermal deep-drilling probe with which the deepest ice layer on earth (over 4000 cm) can be pierced. Within the scope of the IGGE, two such probes were put into operation for drilling at the Jarl-Joset Expeditionary Station in summer, 1968. (Author)