survey, contributing their knowledge and skills 

 and conducting their own studies of A ret ice re- 

 gions not normally accessible to them. 



An indirect benefit of the glacier surveys has 

 been involvement of Coast Guard Academy 

 cadets during the summer. Introduction of these 

 cadets to arctic operations and icebreaking pro- 

 vide a source of interested and initiated Ice- 

 breaker officers. 



The region of the West Greenland Glacier 

 Survey is shown in Figure C-l. The first study, 

 conducted in 1968. was staged from USCGC 

 EASTWIND. The research group, beaded by 

 CAPT R. P. DINSMORE, surveyed the majoi 

 glaciers from Jacobshavn (69°15'N Lat) to 

 Northwest Bay. Jacobshavn is. the southern- 

 most glacier in the entire area of interest. In 

 1969, CAPT R. C. KOLLMEYER became the 

 principal investigator and, using USCGC 

 SOUTHWIXD, surveyed between Upernivik 

 and Kap York. Based on experience gained in 

 1968, detailed survey procedures, data gathering 

 methods and photographic documentation com- 

 menced with this second study. The 1970 sur- 

 vey, conducted from USCGC WESTWIND, 

 visited the glaciers from Kap York to Peter- 

 mann Glacier in Hall Basin (81°30'N Lat), the 

 northernmost glacier of the survey. Following 

 this, the Coast Guard Academy took responsi- 

 bility for the project with Captain KOLL- 

 MEYER remaining in charge. In 1971, the 

 first in a series of planned revists was carried 

 out, resurveying and photographing those glaciers 

 visited in 1968. Due to ship schedules and 

 mechanical problems, no additional surveys were 

 conducted until the summer of 1976. At the 

 time, USCGC WESTWIND supported a July 

 survey conducting flow measurements of Jacob- 

 shavn Glacier, by now identified as the prime 

 producer of icebergs threatening North Atlantic 

 shipping. An automatic time-lapse motion pic- 

 ture camera viewed the terminus of the glacier 

 in order to determine the regularity or irregular- 

 ity of glacial movement. The camera was re- 

 trieved 18 days after its establishment and pro- 

 duced a remarkable record of glacier movement 

 modes never before obtained. The 1968 and 1970 

 surveys were accompanied by a Coast Guard 

 photomapping flight. High altitude stereo over- 

 lapping vertical photographs were obtained 

 along the coastline from Jacobshavn Glacier 

 north to the Humboldt Glacier. 



The usual procedure for the survey of a glacier 

 is as follows: 



1. Conduct a helicopter flight to survey the 

 region and select sites from whirl) physical 

 measurements of the glacier can l>c made. 



2. After placing one or two survey parties 

 ashore, locate the survey site by using visual 

 landmarks and establish a metallic marker from 

 which all data are referenced. 



3. Optically survey the glacier terminus using 

 a theodolite and laser rangefinder. Due to the 

 size of some glaciers, triangulation is necessary 

 from two different survey sites. The survey 

 maps the shape and location of the calving 

 terminus. 



4. Measure optically the height of the calving 

 terminus at as many points as possible. Measure 

 floating tabular bergs when present. 



5. Make observations concerning recently un- 

 glaciated or overrun terrain near the glacier, 

 tidal markings on terminous. calving activity 

 and freshness of the calving surface, iceberg 

 population and fresh ice near the terminus, the 

 presence of upwelled melt water immediately in 

 front of the glacier, streaming zones and noise. 

 Sketch the glacier. 



6. Mark the survey site with a rock cairn to 

 make it easily locatable in the future. 



7. Photographically document the glacier from 

 the survey site as well as the site itself and the 

 surrounding terrain. 



8. Complete a detailed photographic flight and 

 document the glacier in accordance with the pic- 

 ture sequence shown on Figure C-2. (This is 

 generally accomplished while the field parties 

 are conducting the ground survey.) 



9. Conduct oceanographic observations from 

 the Icebreaker, including fjord soundings, sill 

 depth determination and coastal and fjord water 

 properties. 



Variations in this procedure are often made 

 depending on the glacier and the situation. Many 

 minor glaciers are only photographed. To add 

 to our knowledge, a number of coastal villages 

 have been visited in order to obtain information 

 on long-term ice trends observed by the residents. 



