Basal units – visibly distinct englacial structures near the ice-bed interface – warrant investigation for a number of reasons. Many are of unknown composition and origin, characteristics that could provide substantial insight into subglacial processes and ice-sheet history. Their significance, moreover, is not limited to near-bed depths; these units appear to dramatically influence the flow of surrounding ice. In order to enable improved characterization of these features, we develop and apply an algorithm that allows for the automatic detection of basal units. We use a tunable layer-optimized SAR processor to distinguish these structures from the bed, isochronous englacial layers and the ice-sheet surface, presenting a conceptual framework for the use of radio-echo character in the identification of ice-sheet features. We also outline a method by which our processor could be used to place observational constraints on basal units’ configuration, composition and provenance.

中文翻译：

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使用雷达探测数据自动检测和表征南极基本单位：在南极洲西部冰流研究所的演示

基底单元——冰床界面附近明显不同的冰期结构——出于多种原因需要进行调查。许多成分和起源未知，这些特征可以提供对冰下过程和冰盖历史的深入了解。此外，它们的意义不仅限于近床深度；这些单位似乎极大地影响了周围冰的流动。为了改进这些特征的表征，我们开发并应用了一种允许自动检测基础单位的算法。我们使用可调谐层优化的 SAR 处理器将这些结构与床、等时冰层和冰盖表面区分开来，提出了使用无线电回波特征识别冰盖特征的概念框架。