3.1. The seismic signals

About 200 signals related to drifting icebergs were observed at TROLL. Their duration varies significantly, from <2 min to ∼1 day, most of them lasting <30 min. The signals have a typical frequency range of ∼0.7–12 Hz. Their spectrograms display variable yet distinctive structural characteristics, including dominant frequency bands that may exhibit frequency gliding, and bands organized in sets of well-developed harmonics (iceberg harmonic tremor, IHT) (e.g. Reference MacAyeal, Okal, Aster and BassisMacAyeal and others, 2008a). Others can be so unstructured that they appear almost chaotic. The vast majority of structured signals are characterized by the existence of a background, unstructured mesh of energy, also observed in other studies (e.g. Reference JansenJansen, 2008). In most cases, the first onset of the signal is very difficult to distinguish from background noise. Very few instances of signals with well-defined P- and S-phases have been observed; they tend to exhibit a long sequence of highly dispersed energy after the S-wave arrival. Even in such cases, the signals show characteristic dispersion patterns that differ from those of earthquakes and icequakes. To help organize the iceberg-related signals, the following, phenomenological classification was developed.

We defined five classes (examples shown in Fig. 2):

Our classification concept is very similar to, but less detailed than, that of Reference Talandier, Hyvernaud, Reymond and OkalTalandier and others (2006). They identified two different families of signals, one with prominent spectral lines and one with a much broader (whiter) spectrum, and subdivided these further into seven classes and three types, respectively. Our dataset exhibits less variability, in particular for unstructured signals, and can be adequately described by a smaller number of classes.

The sources of the observed signals are distributed in the coastal region between roughly 15° E and 8° W. Concerning uncertainties, the backazimuth estimates are very sensitive to the SNR of the observed seismic data. To ascertain the validity of the results, we systematically removed from the dataset all signals that rendered only non-resolvable backazimuth estimates. This resulted in a dataset of 121 signals that, based on TROLL backazimuth only, appear distributed at angles ranging roughly from 270° to 360° and 0° to 70°, with a mean uncertainty of about ±15° (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3. The 121 reliable backazimuth estimates at TROLL in 3° bins. The red bar marks the general ±15° uncertainty of the backazimuth estimates.

The overall uncertainty of station–source distance estimates is the sum of observation errors (e.g. seismic phase picks), velocity model uncertainties, and ambiguity in seismic phase identification. In particular regarding the latter, the observed S-phases could be converted phases from hydroacoustic to seismic. Our ray-tracing calculations show that this may introduce a difference in the order of ∼1s in the S–P travel times, depending on ice- and water-layer thickness. Such a time difference could add ∼10 km to the uncertainty of distance calculations, which is small with respect to the general location error-ellipses in this study (major semi-axes ∼50 km).

3.2. The observed icebergs

The observed signals span a time interval during which four large, tabular icebergs had been drifting along the DML shoreline, roughly between 15° E and 8° W. According to the NIC and BYU databases, three of them have code names B15X, B15G and B17A respectively. Although comparable in size with B15X, the fourth iceberg was not tracked by any agency.

The tracked icebergs we observe are fragments of two very large initial icebergs (B15 and B17). B15 calved off the eastern part of the Ross Ice Shelf on 21 March 2000 (e.g. Reference Arrigo, Van Dijken, Ainley, Fahnestock and MarkusArrigo and others, 2002) and collided repeatedly with the ice shelf, causing the calving of B17 around 7 April 2000 (Reference MacAyeal, Okal, Thom, Brunt, Kim and BlissMacAyeal and others, 2008b). On 30 April 2001, near Cape Adare, fragment B15B calved, creating among others B15G (Reference MartinMartin and others, 2010 and auxiliary online material). Within this study, B15G was observed with two different geometries (Fig. 4a and b). Envisat imagery from day-of-year (DOY) 073 of year 2012 (13 March) shows clearly that the untracked, fourth iceberg has calved off the parent iceberg B15G. Thus, we hereafter refer to it as B15G_a (Fig. 4a). Since its trajectory is only poorly constrained, B15G_a and signals associated with it will not be discussed in great detail. Finally, B15G calved further into the shape observed last in this study and the also untracked fragment B15G_b (Fig. 4b) sometime between 30 April and 3 May 2012.

Fig. 4. Satellite images showing the icebergs discussed in this study. (a) Envisat Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) image on 13 March 2012, showing icebergs B15X, B17A and B15G. The parent iceberg B15G can be seen calving into B15G and the untracked B15G_a. (b) MODIS Aqua mosaic for 27 August 2012, showing B15G with the last shape observed in this study and the fragment B15G_b.

Regarding iceberg freeboard heights, the employed approach resulted in 10–50 independent elevation profiles across each iceberg, at various locations along the trajectories. The median freeboard heights of these observations were 47–49 m for each iceberg (Table 2), which translates into keel depths of 250–300 m. Our results are obtained assuming a firn air content of 12–18 m, which is typical along the coast of East Antarctica, according to a firn densification model forced with a regional climate model, and tuned to firn depth–density observations (Reference Arthern, Vaughan, Rankin, Mulvaney and ThomasArthern and others, 2010; Reference Lenaerts, Van den Broeke, Van de Berg, Van Meijgaard and Kuipers MunnekeLenaerts and others, 2012; Reference Ligtenberg, Kuipers Munneke and Van der BroeckeLigtenberg and others, 2014). Our keel depths are as large as those estimated for the same icebergs over a decade ago, when they calved off the Ross Ice Shelf (Reference Dowdeswell and BamberDowdeswell and Bamber, 2007) or were drifting on the other side of the continent (Reference MartinMartin and others, 2010). This indicates a relatively high surface accumulation that has been able to compensate for both surface and basal melting (e.g. Reference JansenJansen, 2008; Reference Stephenson, Sprintall, Gille, Vernet, Helly and KaufmannStephenson and others, 2011).

Table 2. Characteristics of the observed icebergs

The observed icebergs moved westwards within the study region (Fig. 5a and b). The first icebergs to enter it were B15X and B15G_a in April 2012. Satellite images show that, while travelling along the Lazarev and Fimbul Ice Shelf coasts, they maintained almost a steady distance between them. They left the study area in June 2012. Meanwhile, in late May 2012, icebergs B15G and B17A approached the Lazarev Ice Shelf. At that time, B15G still had the shape shown in Figure 4a, but it calved into the shape observed last herein and B15G_b (Fig. 4b) sometime between 30 April and 3 May 2012. The two B15G fragments and B17A traveled close to each other from mid-May until the end of June (between 13° and 6° E longitude in Fig. 5b). B15G lingered around 6° E for about a month, while B17A and B15G_b proceeded westwards. By the time that B15G continued its drift, B17A had reached the western border of our observation region. B15G reached the Ekström Ice Shelf coast near VNA1 (Fig. 5a) in late August 2012 and became immobilized and fasted, holding that position until the end of our observation period in December 2012 (Fig. 5b).

Fig. 5. Iceberg trajectories and spatio-temporal distribution of associated signals. (a) Similar to Figure 1, but including tracked iceberg trajectories, shown as colored curves. Bathymetry (Reference ArndtArndt and others, 2013) is shown using the same color scale as in Figure 1, but with increased transparency to enable the observation of the trajectories. (b) Longitude distribution with time for the three tracked icebergs, according to the BYU database of daily iceberg positions. Also shown are positions of untracked B15G_a, as obtained in this study based on satellite images. (c) Same as (b) for the seismic signal sources associated with the four observed icebergs. Only well-resolved and associated signals are shown.

Based on the BYU database daily iceberg positions, the iceberg drift rates vary widely. For example, iceberg B15X took only 8 days to drift from 10° to 5° E, whereas iceberg B15G took 51 days. Such slow transit times are typically observed when icebergs become stuck. B15G shows a greater such tendency than the other icebergs, remaining stationary at two places along the coast, near 6° E and 8° W. In contrast, B17A keeps a more even drift speed (Fig. 5b), leaving the Fimbul coast relatively fast, then adopting a more seaward trajectory from ∼4° W onwards (blue line in Fig. 5a). As expected, stationary locations are concentrated in shallow waters (water depth <500 m) and at the ice-shelf front (e.g. B15G at ∼6° E). In a few cases, however, iceberg drift slowed down in deep-water (>1000 m depth) regions (e.g. B15G at ∼14° E and 7° W; B17A at ∼6° W). This may be related to the existence of eddies or sea-ice distribution, as inferred from iceberg rotations captured on satellite images.

3.3. Signal association with icebergs

Although the total number of presumed iceberg-related signals recorded at TROLL within this study is close to 200, we obtained reliable backazimuth estimates for only 121. Travel-time based, multiple-station source location was possible only for nine, mainly due to the difficulty in measuring accurately the first onsets of the waveforms. Thus, in the overwhelming majority of cases, the source estimate is based predominantly on backazimuth estimates at TROLL and SNAA, while single TROLL estimates are also common. These source location estimates have large uncertainties, with error ellipse major semi-axes exceeding 50 km. This means that it is impossible to discriminate between icebergs that travel closer together (Fig. 5b) than the major axis of the error ellipse. To avoid iceberg and signal erroneous associations, all ambiguous cases were removed from the dataset, reducing the number of signals to 84. All removed signals could be associated with more than one of the drifting icebergs discussed herein. We cannot exclude that smaller calving events from the DML ice shelves may also have occurred during the study period, and there are numerous smaller, local icebergs near the ice-shelf fronts from previous calving events. However, the lack of signals that are unaccounted for indicates that potential seismic events from these smaller icebergs are within the noise level.

Figure 5c shows the longitude of the 84 iceberg-associated signals against time. These longitude values are those estimated with the use of seismological data. A total of 27 signals could be attributed to iceberg B15G_a, based on its position on MODIS satellite imagery (Fig. 5b). The geographic spread of the seismological source locations is obvious (e.g. observe the scatter of the red symbols after DOY 240). However, an association was possible due to the lack of other possible sources. The scarcity of such associations for the longitude leg 5–10° E, where B15G and B17A drift in close proximity, reflects the limitations of the current monitoring possibilities. Despite these limitations, more than half the recorded signals rendered a reliable backazimuth estimate, and more than one-third could be associated with a particular iceberg.

For the signals associated with tracked icebergs, the relationship between estimated backazimuth values from TROLL data (signal backazimuth) and that corresponding to iceberg positions in the BYU database (iceberg backazimuth) is presented in Figure 6. The distribution reflects the general backazimuth uncertainty level, as exhibited by the large signal concentration around 290°, associated with the fasting of iceberg B15G near the Neumayer III station.

Fig. 6. Correlation between BYU database iceberg-location backazimuth and backazimuth estimates obtained from seismic signals observed at TROLL.

The spatial distribution of the associated iceberg signals is summarized in Figure 7. The spatial extent of this dataset spreads over the DML shore, between the Lazarev Ice Shelf to the east and the Ekström Ice Shelf to the west, corresponding roughly to a 400 km radius from TROLL. Table 3 provides an overview of the number of associated signals per iceberg, with first and last observation date and location. Initially, in April 2012, observed signals were emitted only by iceberg B15X and the untracked B15G_a. However, as soon as icebergs B15G and B17A approached the Lazarev Ice Shelf (late May), signals were also recorded from them (Table 3). The largest number of signals came from iceberg B15G, and the second largest from B15G_a. Icebergs B15X and B17A apparently produced fewer detectable signals. B15G generally drifted more slowly and lingered in certain areas for a longer time than the other three icebergs, implying an increased potential for seismic emission production, probably due to more frequent interaction with its surroundings. However, this behavior was not observed for B15G_a, whose relation to B15G may imply similar signal production (e.g. owing to the existence of favorably oriented structures within their volumes). We do not have adequate indications that B15G_b may be associated with any of the signals, so we do not analyze this possibility further.

Fig. 7. Iceberg positions and orientations, based on satellite images (black and blue iceberg outlines), with number denoting DOY 2012. Icebergs are shown to scale. Filled circles denote iceberg positions for which iceberg-signal associations were resolved. Note that several dates include more than one of the 84 associated signals. Iceberg positions and iceberg trajectories (grey line) are taken from the BYU database. (a) Course and signals of B15X (black) and the untracked B15G_a (blue; from MODIS images). B15G_a signal location regions, based only on seismological data, are enclosed in cyan rectangles. (b) Same as (a), but for B15G (black) and B15G_b (blue; from satellite images). (c) Same as (a), but for B17A.

Table 3. Overview of the seismic signals associated with icebergs

3.4. Signal occurrence and characteristics against environmental variables

The seismic signals within our dataset are observed both for iceberg positions very close to the edge of the ice shelf, where icebergs could collide with the shelf or scrape on shallow bathymetric features, and at offshore, deeper positions, where the icebergs are more likely to be drifting freely (Fig. 7). However, except for B17A, the icebergs seem to produce most of their signals in the coastal area, between 7° and 2° E. Good examples are the signals associated with B15G resuming its drift after lagging at ∼6° E, between 23 June and 29 July 2012. Seismic signals were observed on 28 and 29 July (DOY 210, 211 in Fig. 7b), just before it started to drift again. From wind-vector data (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, http://apps.ecmwf.int/datasets/data/interim_full_daily/ ), it seems probable that the iceberg became free due to a storm hitting the area between midday on 27 July and the evening of 28 July. However, we do not know whether the signals are the result of the iceberg colliding repeatedly with the ice shelf or scraping against a bathymetric feature. Since the water is assumed to be >1000 m deep in that area (Reference ArndtArndt and others, 2013), the latter is unlikely.

During the drift of the icebergs along the study area, only one calving event was documented (Table 2). This was the calving of B15G_b from B15G off the Lazarev Ice Shelf. No seismic signals from this event were detected.

A phenomenological signal classification scheme was introduced in Section 2. Different aspects of it are presented in Figure 8. Figure 8a shows the geographic distribution of signals per class. Two general observations can be made: (i) most signals belong to class 1, and (ii) class 1 signals are observed both close to the edge of the ice shelf and in more seaward positions.

Fig. 8. Various aspects of the iceberg-signal classes. (a) Similar to Figure 1, but showing the geographic distribution of the four defined signal classes (colored circles). Multiple signal occurrences on the same day are grouped using vertically stacked symbols. Note that the multitude of signals associated with the fasting of B15G near VNA1 cannot be depicted faithfully, due to the scale of the map. The iceberg trajectories (colored lines) are based on the BYU database. (b) Histogram of the number of signals per class per iceberg. (c) Number of signals per class versus water depth. Signals that could not be classified (class 5) are not included. Note that only the three tracked icebergs (B15X, B15G and B17A) are included, for positions with measured (not interpolated) bathymetry (Reference ArndtArndt and others, 2013), so the number of observations in this histogram equals neither the total number of signals in our dataset nor the histogram count in (b).

The histogram of Figure 8b shows the distribution of the 84 signals per class per iceberg. Class 1 signals are present for all icebergs, but otherwise the representation of classes per iceberg varies. An interesting observation is that, while other icebergs exhibit a variety of signals, B17A seems to be associated only with class 1 signals. All fragments of B15 produced class 2 signals. However, class 3 (IHT) is observed only for B15G and B15G_a, which are fragments of the same parent iceberg. With the information at our disposal, we cannot conclude whether this is an indication of a ‘genetic predisposition’ to emit IHT.

Earlier studies have presented signals from other fragments of iceberg B15. For example, B15B appeared in Reference Talandier, Hyvernaud, Okal and PiserchiaTalandier and others (2002, Reference Talandier, Hyvernaud, Reymond and Okal2006) and Reference MartinMartin and others (2010), the latter showing several examples of spectrograms from another fragment, B15A. Reference Talandier, Hyvernaud, Okal and PiserchiaTalandier and others (2002) present hydroacoustic and seismic records and spectrograms from signals associated with B15B that would belong to our class 2. However, their signals lack energy at frequencies below 2 Hz, due to the known high-pass filter effect of the sound channel in the ocean (Reference Talandier, Hyvernaud, Okal and PiserchiaTalandier and others, 2002), whereas our signals, with lower frequencies around 0.7 Hz, originated closer to the coast and were not affected by the sound channel. Signals associated by Reference MartinMartin and others (2010) with B15A, and recorded at seismic stations in Antarctica, are much more similar to our class 3 signals, in particular when recorded at a comparable distance (Reference MartinMartin and others, 2010, fig. 11). A variety of signals, very similar to those we observe, was also recorded by Reference Müller, Schlindwein, Eckstaller and MillerMüller and others (2005, supporting online material) and Reference JansenJansen (2008), and attributed to iceberg B9A and icebergs A38B and A43G, respectively. This comparison suggests that it is very difficult to identify signature characteristics in the signals for particular icebergs.

It remains an open question to what extent the mechanisms behind these classes are governed by characteristics of the involved icebergs (dimensions, keel depth, the existence of crevasses), their trajectories (e.g. bathymetric features, proximity to the ice shelf and other icebergs, sea-ice coverage), ocean state (tides, currents) and weather conditions (wind).

The correlation of the different signal classes with bathymetry is shown in Figure 8c. The distribution confirms that the occurrence of class 1 signals is independent of bathymetry, whereas the more structured class 2 and 3 signals are mostly observed in shallower waters. These trends are in general accordance with the findings of Reference Talandier, Hyvernaud, Reymond and OkalTalandier and others (2006), who observe the majority of whiter spectrum signals (class 1 in this study) from sources on the high seas, whereas signals with clear eigenfrequencies (classes 2 and 3 in this study) have their sources near the coastline, noting, however, that there exist exceptions. It is unclear how the wide distribution of class 1 signals in this study can be interpreted. We did not find any clear correlation with any parameter (e.g. signal-source size, source–station distance) that might hint at a probable source process. The same iceberg can produce both class 1 and structured signals at nearby locations (see, e.g., grouped class 1 and 2 occurrences in Fig. 8a), suggesting that observation distance cannot have a decisive effect in this distribution. Regarding bathymetry, the few cases of structured signals in deep-water locations are observed for stationary icebergs (e.g. B15G at ∼6° E), and therefore cannot be solely interpreted by bathymetric conditions. Unfortunately, we have relatively poor resolution of the bathymetry in the area, and only indirect information on iceberg keel depths. The steep bathymetric gradients near the ice shelf, as in the area around 6° E, also need to be taken in account. Keel depths of grounded icebergs can be a proxy for bathymetry; this is currently under investigation in a separate study and is not discussed further herein. It is difficult to investigate and interpret safely the mechanisms behind the generation of the signals in the absence of detailed information regarding the surroundings of the icebergs at the time of their emission. The most conclusive studies so far in this respect benefit from combined favorable seismic observation conditions, and good control of the involved iceberg’s position and resulting geometrical relations to its surroundings (e.g. Reference MacAyeal, Okal, Aster and BassisMacAyeal and others, 2008a; Reference MartinMartin and others, 2010; Reference DziakDziak and others, 2013). Well-constrained cases from this study will be presented in greater detail and interpreted in work that is currently in preparation.

3.5. Implications for iceberg monitoring

In a similar study, Reference Müller, Schlindwein, Eckstaller and MillerMüller and others (2005) tracked one iceberg (B9A) as it drifted along the DML coast, using seismological data of any station of the regional network at DML available for each signal. In this study, we track the drift of four icebergs over three-quarters of a year. We consequently start from the single TROLL backazimuth estimate and add information where available, thus assessing tracking capabilities at regional distances from seismic stations.

Although TROLL is relatively far from the coast, its central position allows monitoring of the entire length of the coastline between 8° W and 15° E, with an average observation radius of 400 km. This position offers a better azimuthal sensitivity for sources along the DML coast than the locations of the stations closer to the shoreline (Fig. 1). In Reference Müller, Schlindwein, Eckstaller and MillerMüller and others (2005), signals from iceberg B9A were spread over the region between 25° W and 5° E, with a maximum observation range of ∼680 km. For several of the source-location estimates in that study, the seismic array at Neumayer III had been used, offering an SNR improvement by a factor equal to the square root of the number of array elements (e.g. Reference Schweitzer and BormannSchweitzer and others, 2012). In comparison, the performance of the single seismic station, TROLL is remarkable, demonstrating the potential of high-quality, single stations even at large distances.

The information from satellite remote sensing in Figure 7 about iceberg positions and orientations provides an overview of the availability of satellite imagery for the area of interest during the study. The observed icebergs drifted within the limits of the study region at the beginning of the dark season, and most of them were on their way out when the light returned. Cloud coverage and the lack of cloud-penetrating microwave satellite imagery further reduced tracking capabilities using satellite images. The daily iceberg positions (BYU) are invaluable, but do not provide insight into additional aspects of their drift (e.g. orientations); moreover, the database provides only restricted real-time potential (see Appendix). In addition, as the case of B15G_a demonstrates, not all large, tabular icebergs are being tracked. This increases the value of seismological observations, in particular for real-time data transmitting stations, which can be used to supplement satellite information and tracking databases.