Drilling and Installation of Boreholes for Permafrost Thermal Monitoring on Livingston Island in the Maritime Antarctic

Three new boreholes up to 25 m deep were drilled on Mount Reina Sofia (275 to a.s.l.), Livingston Island. where previous near-surface temperature measurements (mean annual ground temperatures of -2.1 to -2.6 degrees C) have indicated the presence of permafrost. A thermistor chain and logging system were installed in the deepest borehole, while the others were equipped with individual miniature temperature loggers (iButtons). Initial data from the 25 to borehole indicates a permafrost body several decametres thick. Future data from these boreholes are expected to provide insight into ground temperature evolution in maritime Antarctica. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.