scholarly journals Using structure from motion photogrammetry to measure past glacier changes from historic aerial photographs

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (242) ◽  
pp. 1105-1118 ◽  
Author(s):  
LAUREN J. VARGO ◽  
BRIAN M. ANDERSON ◽  
HUW J. HORGAN ◽  
ANDREW N. MACKINTOSH ◽  
ANDREW M. LORREY ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Structure From Motion ◽  
Lower Cost ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Glacier Change ◽  
Climate Variability And Change ◽  
Glacier Changes ◽  
Camera Parameters ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques

ABSTRACTQuantifying historic changes in glacier size and mass balance is important for understanding how the cryosphere responds to climate variability and change. Airborne photogrammetry enables glacier extent and equilibrium line altitudes (ELAs) to be monitored for more glaciers at lower cost than traditional mass-balance programs and other remote-sensing techniques. Since 1977, end-of-summer-snowlines, which are a proxy for annual ELAs, have been recorded for 50 glaciers in the Southern Alps of New Zealand using oblique aerial photographs. In this study, we use structure from motion photogrammetry to estimate the camera parameters, including position, for historic photographs, which we then use to measure glacier change. We apply this method to a small maritime New Zealand glacier (Brewster Glacier, 1670–2400 m a.s.l.) to derive annual ELA and length records between 1981 and 2017, and quantify the uncertainties associated with the method. Our length reconstruction shows largely continuous terminus retreat of 365 ± 12 m for Brewster Glacier since 1981. The ELA record, which compares well with glaciological mass-balance data measured between 2005 and 2015, shows pronounced interannual variability. Mean ELAs range from 1707 ± 6 to 2303 ± 5 m a.s.l., with the highest ELAs occurring in the last decade.

scholarly journals Glacier changes in the Pascua-Lama region, Chilean Andes (29° S): recent mass balance and 50 yr surface area variations

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 1029-1041 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Rabatel ◽  
H. Castebrunet ◽  
V. Favier ◽  
L. Nicholson ◽  
C. Kinnard
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Late 20Th Century ◽  
Surface Mass ◽  
Glacier Changes ◽  
Chilean Andes

Abstract. Since 2003, a monitoring program has been conducted on several glaciers and glacierets in the Pascua-Lama region of the Chilean Andes (29° S/70° W; 5000 m a.s.l.), permitting the study of glaciological processes on ice bodies in a subtropical, arid, high-elevation area where no measurements were previously available. In this paper we present: (1) six years of glaciological surface mass balance measurements from four ice bodies in the area, including a discussion of the nature of the studied glaciers and glacierets and characterization of the importance of winter mass balance to annual mass balance variability; and (2) changes in surface area of twenty ice bodies in the region since 1955, reconstructed from aerial photographs and satellite images, which shows that the total glaciated surface area reduced by ~29% between 1955 and 2007, and that the rate of surface area shrinkage increased in the late 20th century. Based on these datasets we present a first interpretation of glacier changes in relation with climatic parameters at both local and regional scales.

scholarly journals Glacier change of the Columbia Icefield, Canadian Rocky Mountains, 1919–2009

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (216) ◽  
pp. 671-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Tennant ◽  
Brian Menounos
Keyword(s):  
Volume Change ◽  
Rocky Mountains ◽  
Relative Length ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Glacier Change ◽  
Volume Loss ◽  
Canadian Rocky Mountains ◽  
Elevation Change ◽  
Glacier Changes ◽  
Length And Area

AbstractWe determined length, area, elevation and volume change of the Columbia Icefield using Interprovincial Boundary Commission Survey maps from 1919, eight sets of aerial photographs from 1948 to 1993, and satellite data from 1999 to 2009. Over the period 1919–2009, glaciers on average retreated 1150 ± 34 m and shrank by 2.4 ± 0.2 km2. Total area loss was 59.6 ± 1.2 km2 (23 ± 5%), and mean elevation change was −49 ± 25 m w.e., resulting in a total volume loss of 14.3 ± 2.0 km3 w.e. Large outlet glaciers experienced the greatest absolute ice loss, while small, detached glaciers lost the most relative length and area. Thinning rates of debris-covered ice were 30–60% lower than those for clean ice. All glacier changes were significantly correlated with each other (p < 0.01), with r values ranging from 0.54 to 0.82. Temperature is correlated with length and area change over periods lagged 1–5 years (p < 0.05), and with elevation and volume change over periods lagged 9–18 years (p < 0.05). Precipitation is correlated with glacier change over periods lagged 1–10 years (p < 0.05).

scholarly journals The Glacier Inventory of China

2009 ◽  
Vol 50 (53) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yafeng Shi ◽  
Chaohai Liu ◽  
Ersi Kang
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
International Commission ◽  
River Systems ◽  
Glacier Inventory ◽  
Glacier Changes ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques ◽  
Topographical Maps

AbstractFollowing recommendations from the International Commission on Snow and Ice for a world glacier inventory, an inventory of glaciers in China was carried out by Chinese glaciologists from 1978 to 2002. Each glacier was measured from aerial photographs and topographical maps and 34 parameters recorded. These parameters were then analyzed statistically for the various river systems in China. Twelve volumes of the Glacier Inventory of China (GIC) have been published, consisting of 22 parts in 21 books. The data were subsequently abridged into a Concise GIC, published in Chinese (2005) and in English (2008), to make the glacier inventory more accessible and better adapted for assessing glacier response to climate change. After the GIC was completed, new aerial photographs became available and remote-sensing techniques became more common. To investigate glacier changes since completion of the first GIC, a second Glacier Inventory of China was initiated in 2007. This 5 year project, supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, will be undertaken mainly using remote-sensing techniques.

scholarly journals Glacier changes in the Pascua-Lama region, Chilean Andes (29° S): recent mass-balance and 50-year surface-area variations

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2307-2336 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Rabatel ◽  
H. Castebrunet ◽  
V. Favier ◽  
L. Nicholson ◽  
C. Kinnard
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Late 20Th Century ◽  
Surface Mass ◽  
Glacier Changes ◽  
Chilean Andes

Abstract. Since 2003, a monitoring program has been conducted on several glaciers and glacierets in the Pascua-Lama region of the Chilean Andes (29° S/70° W; 5000 m a.s.l.), permitting the study of glaciological processes on ice-bodies in a subtropical, arid, high-elevation area where no measurements were previously available. In this paper we present: (i) 6 years of glaciological surface mass-balance measurements from 4 ice-bodies in the area, including a discussion of the nature of the studied glaciers and glacierets and characterization of the importance of winter mass-balance to annual mass-balance variability; and (ii) changes in surface-area of 20 ice-bodies in the region since 1955, reconstructed from aerial photographs and satellite images, which show that ice-bodies have lost 44 ± 21% of their 1955 surface-area, and that the rate of surface-area shrinkage increased in the late 20th century. From these datasets we present an interpretation of inter-decadal glacier changes, which appear to be linked to El Niño Southern Oscillation and to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation.

scholarly journals On the characterization of glacier response by a single time-scale

2001 ◽  
Vol 47 (159) ◽  
pp. 659-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. D. Harrison ◽  
D. H. Elsberg ◽  
K. A. Echelmeyer ◽  
R. M. Krimmel
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Time Constant ◽  
Time Scale ◽  
Response Models ◽  
Single Time ◽  
Glacier Changes ◽  
Major Increase ◽  
Effect Of Surface

AbstractGlacier response to climate can be characterized by a single time-scale when the glacier changes sufficiently slowly. Then the derivative of volume with respect to area defines a thickness scale similar to that of Jóhannesson and others, and the time-scale follows from it. Our version of the time-scale is different from theirs because it explicitly includes the effect of surface elevation on mass-balance rate, which can cause a major increase in the time-scale or even lead to unstable response. The time constant has a dual role, controlling both the rate and magnitude of response to a given climate change. Data from South Cascade Glacier, Washington, U.S.A., illustrate the ideas, some of the difficulty in obtaining accurate values for the thickness and time-scales, and the susceptibility of all response models to potentially large errors.

scholarly journals Ivory Glacier, New Zealand, an I.H.D. Representative Basin Study

1978 ◽  
Vol 20 (82) ◽  
pp. 67-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.W. Anderton ◽  
T.J. Chinn
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Heat Content ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Regional Trends ◽  
High Precipitation ◽  
Energy Balances ◽  
Climatic Characteristics ◽  
Maritime Environment

AbstractMass, water, and energy balances were measured lit the Ivory Glacier, South Island, New Zealand from 1969 to 1975 as part of an I.H.D. programme of representative basin studies. Ivory Glacier is a small cirque glacier within the high-precipitation maritime environment of Westland and was chosen initially for convenience of study rather than representativeness. Mass-balance investigations included a detailed study of the sampling efficiency of a pole network. Annual mass balance was consistently negative during the study period. The run-off pattern was dominated by rain. The estimated annual mean precipitation is 9630 mm for 1971-75. Snow represents about 25% of annual precipitation. Melt contributed 21% of run-off including 9% contributed by melt of perennial snow and ice. The relative contributions of different fluxes to the energy balance during summer are: net radiation 52%, sensible heat 29%, and latent heat 17%. Heat content of precipitation contributes significantly to the energy balance during individual rain-storms and is probably significant during periods of high precipitation in spring and autumn. Climatic characteristics and behaviour of Ivory Glacier appear to follow regional trends in the Southern Alps and the glacier is considered to be reasonably representative.

scholarly journals Διαχρονική παρατήρηση των μεταβολών της ακτογραμμής τμήματος της παράκτιας ζώνης του νόμου Πιερίας και εκτίμηση των επιπτώσεων από την μελλοντική άνοδο της θαλάσσιας στάθμης

2005 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 182
Author(s):  
Κ. ΤΣΑΝΑΚΑΣ ◽  
Ε. ΚΑΡΥΜΠΑΛΗΣ ◽  
Ι. ΠΑΡΧΑΡΙΔΗΣ
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Coastal Zone ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Gis And Remote Sensing ◽  
Socioeconomic Environment ◽  
Area North ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques

The aim of this study is to detect shoreline changes along part of the coastal zone of Piena during the time period between 1969 and 2000 using aerial photographs and satellite images. Additionally, a quantitative and qualitative assessment of the future sea-level rise (triggered by the global climate change) implications to the physical and socioeconomic environment of the area is attempted taking into account various sea-level rise scenarios. Retreating as well as prograding regions along the study area were defined and retreating/prograding rates for the time periods 1969-1987 and 1987-2000 were estimated using GIS and Remote Sensing techniques. Building activity rates for the coastal area of Paralia Katerinis were also estimated for the same periods. The coastline of the study area is retreating^ except than the area north of torrent Mavroneri where a progradation rate of 48 cm/year was estimated between 1969 and 1987. Retreating rate of the coast for the northern part of the area (Saltworks) is estimated to be 25 cm/year and 19 cm/yrear for the periods of 1969-1987 and 1987-2000 respectively. The broader study area is particularly vulnerable to a potential future sealevel rise due to the low-lying topography of the coastal zone and intensive socioeconomic activities such as tourism and commerce.

scholarly journals Longest time series of glacier mass changes in the Himalaya based on stereo imagery

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2593-2613 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Bolch ◽  
T. Pieczonka ◽  
D. I. Benn
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Mass Loss ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Aerial Images ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Glacier Changes ◽  
Debris Cover ◽  
Stereo Imagery ◽  
Glacier Velocity ◽  
The Himalaya

Abstract. Mass loss of Himalayan glaciers has wide-ranging consequences such as declining water resources, sea level rise and an increasing risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). The assessment of the regional and global impact of glacier changes in the Himalaya is, however, hampered by a lack of mass balance data for most of the range. Multi-temporal digital terrain models (DTMs) allow glacier mass balance to be calculated since the availability of stereo imagery. Here we present the longest time series of mass changes in the Himalaya and show the high value of early stereo spy imagery such as Corona (years 1962 and 1970) aerial images and recent high resolution satellite data (Cartosat-1) to calculate a time series of glacier changes south of Mt. Everest, Nepal. We reveal that the glaciers are significantly losing mass with an increasing rate since at least ~1970, despite thick debris cover. The specific mass loss is 0.32 ± 0.08 m w.e. a−1, however, not higher than the global average. The spatial patterns of surface lowering can be explained by variations in debris-cover thickness, glacier velocity, and ice melt due to exposed ice cliffs and ponds.

Impact of the choice of surface mass balance models and their calibration on large-scale glacier change projections

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilian Schuster ◽  
David Rounce ◽  
Fabien Maussion
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Model Complexity ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Glacier Change ◽  
Surface Mass Balance ◽  
Ice Dynamics ◽  
Surface Mass ◽  
Mass Balance Models ◽  
Intercomparison Study

&lt;p&gt;A recent large model intercomparison study (GlacierMIP) showed that differences between the glacier models is a dominant source of uncertainty for future glacier change projections, in particular in the first half of the century.&amp;#160; Each glacier model has their own unique set of process representations and climate forcing methodology, which makes it impossible to determine the model components that contribute most to the projection uncertainty. This study aims to improve our understanding of the sources of large scale glacier model uncertainty using the Open Global Glacier Model (OGGM), focussing on the surface mass balance (SMB) in a first step. We calibrate and run a set of interchangeable SMB model parameterizations (e.g. monthly vs. daily, constant vs. variable lapse rates, albedo, snowpack evolution and refreezing) under controlled boundary conditions. Based on ensemble approaches, we explore the influence of (i) the parameter calibration strategy and (ii) SMB model complexity on regional to global glacier change. These uncertainties are then put in relation to a qualitative selection of other model design choices, such as the forcing climate dataset and ice dynamics model parameters.&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;

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