Evolution of high-frequency ground-penetrating radar direct ground wave propagation during thin frozen soil layer development

High frequency ground-penetrating radar direct ground waves were used to monitor the seasonal development of a thin, high velocity frozen soil layer over a wet low velocity unfrozen substratum. During the freezing process, the progressive attenuation of a low velocity direct ground wave and the subsequent development of a high velocity direct ground wave were observed. Numerical simulations showed that low velocity direct wave event occurring after freezing commences is due to energy leaking across the frozen layer from the spherical body wave in the unfrozen half space. This leaky phase progressively dissipates until the frozen layer reaches a thickness equivalent to one quarter of the dominant wavelength in the frozen ground. The appearance of the high velocity direct wave is governed by its destructive interference with the reflection events from the base of the frozen layer. This interference obscures the high velocity direct wave event until the frozen layer thickness reached one half of the dominant wavelength in the frozen ground. These changes in direct wave transmission permit frozen layer monitoring for thicknesses that are significantly less than those feasible using the reflection event from the frozen–unfrozen boundary.