The first geodetic investigation at the summit of Dome A,Antarctica

Dome A is the highest ice feature in the Antarctica, up to now, little is known about surface topography at Dome A. The first Chinese ITASE expedition was carried out from Zhongshan station to Dome A during the 1996/1997 austral summer. During the 2004/2005 austral summer, the traverse was extended to the summit of Dome A which is 1228 km from Zhongshan Station by 21st Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition (CHINARE). The real-time kinematic (RTK) GPS survey was carried out in the summit of Dome A during 2004/05 austral summer.The surface topography of Dome A was drawn up using the kinematic double-frequency GPS data covering an area of about 70 km 2 . The accuracy of the kinematic survey is in the range of 0.20 m. Precise surface topography, bedrock morphology and internal laye- ring geometry are important for the future selection of the best site for deep drilling at Dome A.