A Ground Penetrating Radar on the Greenland Ice Cap: Field Feedback from the ImpulseRadar CO4080
During the North Greenland Windsled Expedition 2026, the team used a particularly valuable scientific and safety tool: the ImpulseRadar CO4080, a ground penetrating radar designed to reveal what lies beneath the surface of snow and ice.
At first glance, the Greenland ice cap can appear uniform. Yet beneath skis or snowmobiles, the terrain may hide weak zones, snow bridges, covered crevasses, or significant variations within the snow and ice layers. The purpose of ground penetrating radar is to send electromagnetic waves into the ground — or, in this case, into snow and ice — and then analyse the returning signals to better understand the subsurface structure.
The CO4080 used during the expedition operates with two main frequencies: 400 MHz and 800 MHz. The lower frequency allows for deeper observation, while the higher frequency provides better resolution for near-surface layers. This dual-frequency capability is particularly useful in glacial environments, where it is important both to detect deeper anomalies and to understand the finer structures within the snowpack.
In the field, the radar was towed and used during the team’s progression towards the ice cap, helping to identify potentially dangerous areas. In a polar environment where visibility, fresh snow and terrain relief can make visual assessment extremely difficult, the CO4080 provided practical support for decision-making. It helped secure certain passages and contributed to opening a safer route for both the team and the equipment.
The results showed that the system was well suited to use in extreme conditions: cold, wind, snow, logistical constraints and full expedition autonomy. Its relatively compact format, rapid data acquisition and ability to provide immediate insight into the subsurface make it a highly relevant tool for polar expeditions, as well as for scientific, glaciological and logistical applications.
This first use of the CO4080 during the NGWE 2026 confirms the value of ground penetrating radar as a field tool. It does not replace human experience or safety procedures in glacial terrain, but it provides valuable additional information that remains invisible to the naked eye.
A full report presents the conditions of use, observations made, limitations encountered and possible improvements for future campaigns in greater detail.
📄 The full report is available for download here:
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