Russian Researchers Create Underwater Probe to Monitor Ice Thickness
Researchers at the Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Nizhny Novgorod have developed an underwater probe for real-time monitoring of ice thickness and condition on rivers, lakes, and reservoirs without requiring people to go out on the ice.
Ice thickness is usually measured manually by taking a core sample, which is labor-intensive and unsafe. The new device works differently — it sits underwater and sends an acoustic signal straight up.
"The fundamental difference between our method and existing approaches is the ability to take continuous measurements. The device transmits information about ice cover thickness in real time and can monitor continuously throughout the entire season, without people going out on the ice and without disturbing the ice cover itself. The device can operate year-round, also measuring water levels in a reservoir and wave heights," said Yuri Andreyevich Titchenko, Deputy Head of the Department of Radiophysical Methods in Hydrophysics at IAP RAS and a candidate of physical and mathematical sciences.
According to him, the development will help assess the safety of ice crossings and forecast floods. The method still needs to be tested and entered into the registry of measuring instruments.
