Ice shelf insulation method

Abstract

A method of slowing melting of the polar ice shelves is provided. The method comprises conveying air underneath the ice shelf, at least temporarily, forming an insulating layer between the ice of the ice shelf and the sea water below. The method may be carried out by drilling a hole through the ice shelf and conveying air through the hole until it reaches the water. The buoyancy of the air will position it between the sea water and ice, thereby insulating the ice from the melting sea water.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of slowing a melting of a polar ice shelf comprising the steps of:
 selecting an area of an ice shelf that will benefit from a reduced melt rate;   drilling a hole through the ice shelf from a top surface of the ice shelf to a bottom surface of the ice shelf in contact with sea water;   conveying a quantity of air through the hole from the top surface of the ice shelf into sea water underneath the ice shelf, at least a part of the quantity of air forming a layer between the bottom surface of the ice shelf and the sea water, slowing the melting of the ice by the sea water.   
     
     
         2 . The method of slowing a melting of a polar ice shelf of  claim 1  further comprising the step of monitoring the quantity of air under the ice shelf. 
     
     
         3 . The method of slowing a melting of a polar ice shelf of  claim 2  wherein the step of monitoring the quantity of air under the ice shelf comprises measuring an area of the layer formed by the quantity of air between the sea water and ice using sonar. 
     
     
         4 . The method of slowing a melting of a polar ice shelf of  claim 2  wherein the step of monitoring the quantity of air under the ice shelf comprises tracking a movement of the layer of the quantity air under the ice shelf over time using sonar. 
     
     
         5 . The method of slowing a melting of a polar ice shelf of  claim 1  wherein the step of conveying the quantity of air comprises:
 activating an air compressor; and 
 directing an outlet air from the air compressor into the hole in the ice shelf. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of slowing a melting of a polar ice shelf of  claim 5  further comprising the step of chilling air after it exits a compressor outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The method of slowing a melting of a polar ice shelf of  claim 6  wherein the step of chilling the air comprises passing the air through a chiller device before the step of conveying the quantity of air through the hole. 
     
     
         8 . The method of slowing a melting of a polar ice shelf of  claim 1  further comprising the step of capping the hole after the step of conveying the quantity of air. 
     
     
         9 . The method of slowing a melting of a polar ice shelf of  claim 1  wherein the step of drilling the hole through the ice shelf is performed close to a grounding line of the ice shelf. 
     
     
         10 . The method of slowing a melting of a polar ice shelf of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 passing a probe through the hole; and 
 mapping the bottom surface of the ice shelf using the probe. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of slowing a melting of a polar ice shelf of  claim 1  further comprising the step of directing the air conveyed at the bottom of the ice shelf. 
     
     
         12 . The method of slowing a melting of a polar ice shelf of  claim 1  further comprising the step of passing a pipe through the hole. 
     
     
         13 . The method of slowing a melting of a polar ice shelf of  claim 1  wherein the step of conveying the quantity of air is performed at a rate sufficient to overcome an escape of air from underneath the ice shelf. 
     
     
         14 . A method of insulating a bottom surface of a polar ice shelf comprising the steps of:
 drilling a hole through the ice shelf from a top surface of the ice shelf to a bottom surface of the ice shelf, the bottom surface being in contact with sea water;   conveying a quantity of air through the hole from the top surface of the ice shelf into sea water underneath the ice shelf;   wherein the quantity of air is urged between the sea water and the bottom of the ice shelf, insulating the ice shelf from the sea water.   
     
     
         15 . The method of insulating a bottom surface of a polar ice shelf of  claim 14  further comprising the step of monitoring the quantity of air under the ice shelf. 
     
     
         16 . The method of insulating a bottom surface of a polar ice shelf of  claim 15  wherein the step of monitoring the quantity of air under the ice shelf comprises measuring an area of the ice shelf insulated by the air from the sea water. 
     
     
         17 . The method of insulating a bottom surface of a polar ice shelf of  claim 15  wherein the step of monitoring the quantity of air under the ice shelf comprises tracking a movement of the air under the ice shelf over time. 
     
     
         18 . The method of insulating a bottom surface of a polar ice shelf of  claim 14  further comprising the step of passing a probe through the hole, and mapping the bottom surface of the ice shelf. 
     
     
         19 . The method of insulating a bottom surface of a polar ice shelf of  claim 14  further comprising chilling air after it exits a compressor outlet by passing the air through a chiller device before the step of conveying the quantity of air through the hole. 
     
     
         20 . A system for use in insulating a bottom of a polar ice shelf comprising:
 a drill, the drill configured to form a hole through the polar ice shelf;   an air compressor, the air compressor configured to compress ambient air and direct the compressed air through the hole and into a sea water beneath the ice shelf;   a remotely movable nozzle positionable at a bottom of the hole, configured to direct the compressed air from the hole into the sea water;   a monitoring device, the monitoring device configured to monitor a movement of a quantity of the compressed air that is beneath the ice shelf, between the ice shelf and the sea water.