Airborne gravity survey of Lincoln Sea and Wandel Sea, north Greenland

In June 1998 National Survey and Cadastre Denmark (KMS) carried out an airborne gravity survey over the Polar Sea to the north of Greenland. A Twin Otter from Greenlandair, equipped with autopilot and additional fuel tanks, was employed for the survey. A modified marine LaCoste & Romberg gravimeter and geodetic GPS receivers operating in differential mode made up the basic scientific instrumentation used to monitor the gravity field variations.

A laser altimeter and a low cost inertial measurement unit consisting of three gyros and three accelerometers were included to sustain the postprocessing of the GPS data. The presentation will focus on the integration and validation of the system, including comparison with marine and ice gravity measurements.

Gravity results from Lincoln Sea and Wandel Sea between latitude 82 N and 85 N, covering the shelf region and the continental slope and rise, will be presented.