Multichannel Coherent Radar Depth Sounder (MCoRDS)

(NASA P-3B and DC-8)

The Multichannel Coherent Radar Depth Sounder (MCoRDS), operated by CReSIS, is a multichannel radar used to measure ice sheet thickness and map terrain below the ice. It operates over a large frequency range and has multiple receivers to help eliminate noise that can obscure weaker return signals. Its ability to map terrain beneath the ice is important for computer models of ice sheets.

Three-dimension tomographic image from MCoRDS

More about MCoRDS
MCoRDS data at NSIDC

 
Ice on Antarctica's Ellsworth Mountains, 10/22/2012 Ice on the Ellsworth Mountains in Antarctica as seen from the IceBridge DC-8 on Oct. 22, 2012. The Ellsworth Mountains are home to Antarctica’s highest point, Vinson Massif (16,050 ft / 4,892 m). Credit: NASA / James Yungel