scholarly journals Calculation of glacier volume from sparse ice-thickness data, applied to Schaufelferner, Austria

2009 ◽  
Vol 55 (191) ◽  
pp. 453-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Fischer
Keyword(s):  
Ice Thickness ◽  
Volume Loss ◽  
Glacier Inventory ◽  
Ice Volume ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ground Penetrating ◽  
Thickness Measurements ◽  
Scaling Algorithms

AbstractIn order to develop and evaluate a method for the determination of glacier volume from ice-thickness data, the volume of Schaufelferner, Austria, is calculated (1) by manual interpolation of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data based on measurements at 36 locations in 1995, (2) by manual interpolation of 144 GPR measurements acquired for a higher-resolution estimate in 2003 and 2006, (3) by multiplying the mean of the measured ice-thickness data by the glacier area, (4) by automatic kriging of the 1995 GPR data and (5) by application of area/volume scaling algorithms to the Austrian glacier inventory data of 1969, 1997 and 2006. The so determined glacier volumes are compared with the ice-volume changes calculated from digital elevation models (DEMs) of the Austrian glacier inventories. The manually interpolated volumes based on the 1995 and 2003/06 GPR data yielded a volume loss only slightly different from volume loss calculated from the glacier inventories of 1997 and 2007. Other methods were not able to reproduce the volume losses of the glacier inventory DEMs. To assess the accuracy of deriving ice-thickness changes with GPR, repeated ice-thickness measurements at the same locations were carried out between 2005 and 2008.

scholarly journals Ice volume estimates for the Himalaya–Karakoram region: evaluating different methods

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 4813-4854 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Frey ◽  
H. Machguth ◽  
M. Huss ◽  
C. Huggel ◽  
S. Bajracharya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thickness Distribution ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Ice Thickness ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Glacier Inventory ◽  
Ice Volume ◽  
Sensitivity Assessment ◽  
Volume Estimates ◽  
Thickness Measurements

Abstract. Ice volume estimates are crucial for assessing water reserves stored in glaciers. A variety of different methodologies exist but there is a lack of systematic comparative analysis thereof. Due to its large glacier coverage, such estimates are of particular interest for the Himalayan-Karakoram (HK) region. Here, three volume–area (V–A) relations, a slope-dependent estimation method, and two ice-thickness distribution models are applied to a complete glacier inventory of the HK region. An uncertainty and sensitivity assessment is performed to investigate the influence of the input glacier areas, and model approaches and parameters on the resulting total ice volumes. Results of the two ice-thickness distribution models are validated with local ice-thickness measurements at six glaciers. The resulting ice volumes for the entire HK region range from 2955 km3 to 6455 km3, depending on the approach. Results from the ice thickness distribution models and the slope-dependent thickness estimations agree well with measured local ice thicknesses while V–A relations show stronger deviations. The study provides evidence on the significant effect of the selected method on results and underlines the importance of a careful and critical evaluation. More ice-thickness measurements are needed to improve models and results in the future.

scholarly journals Determination of total ice volume and ice-thickness distribution of two glaciers in the Hohe Tauern region, Eastern Alps, from GPR data

2009 ◽  
Vol 50 (51) ◽  
pp. 71-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Binder ◽  
E. Brückl ◽  
K.H. Roch ◽  
M. Behm ◽  
W. Schöner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thickness Distribution ◽  
Eastern Alps ◽  
Spatial Density ◽  
Ice Thickness ◽  
Validation Data ◽  
Ice Volume ◽  
Bedrock Topography ◽  
Glacier System ◽  
Ground Penetrating

AbstractGlobal warming is causing an apparent rapid retreat of many glaciers worldwide. In addition to mass-balance investigation, the determination and monitoring of total glacial ice volume and ice-thickness distribution are important parameters for understanding the interactions between climate and the complex glacier system. Because of spatially irregular and sparse datasets, scaling of volume and ice-thickness distribution is often a challenging problem. This study focuses on two small (<2 km2) temperate glaciers in the Hohe Tauern (Eastern Alps) region of central Austria. The period 2003–04 saw the first use of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to determine the total ice volume and ice-thickness distribution of the two glaciers. A centre frequency of 20 MHz was used in point measuring mode. Despite variable data quality, bedrock reflections up to depths of >100m were identified in the data. The acquired GPR data are irregularly distributed and the spatial density is too low to calculate reasonable bedrock topography with standard interpolation approaches. Thus one main focus of this study was to develop an appropriate interpolation technique. Eventually, kriging technique and a glacial mechanically based interpolation parameter were used. Mean calculated ice thicknesses for the two investigated glaciers are 40–50 m, with a maximum of 150–165 m. No direct validation data are available, so different considerations support the computed bedrock topography.

scholarly journals Ice volume distribution and implications on runoff projections in a glacierized catchment

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 7507-7541 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Gabbi ◽  
D. Farinotti ◽  
A. Bauder ◽  
H. Maurer
Keyword(s):  
Thickness Distribution ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Accurate Determination ◽  
Annual Runoff ◽  
Ice Thickness ◽  
Volume Distribution ◽  
Ice Volume ◽  
Runoff Decrease ◽  
Ground Penetrating ◽  
Thickness Measurements

Abstract. A dense network of helicopter-based ground penetrating radar (GPR) measurements was used to determine the ice-thickness distribution in the Mauvoisin region. The comprehensive set of ice-thickness measurements was combined with an ice-thickness estimation approach for an accurate determination of the bedrock. A total ice volume of 3.69 ± 0.11 km3 and a maximum ice-thickness of 290 m were found. The ice-thickness values were then employed as input for a combined glacio-hydrological model forced by most recent regional climate scenarios. This model provided glacier evolution and runoff projections. Runoff projections of the measured initial ice volume distribution show an increase in annual runoff of 4% in the next two decades, followed by a persistent runoff decrease until 2100. Finally, we checked the influence of the ice thickness distribution on runoff projections. Our analyses revealed that reliable estimates of the ice volume is essential. Wrong estimations of the total ice volume might even lead to deviations of the predicted general runoff trend.

scholarly journals Ground-penetrating radar measurements of 64 Austrian glaciers between 1995 and 2010

2013 ◽  
Vol 54 (64) ◽  
pp. 179-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Fischer ◽  
Michael Kuhn
Keyword(s):  
Ground Penetrating Radar ◽  
Average Density ◽  
Ice Thickness ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Glacier Inventory ◽  
Mountain Glaciers ◽  
Glacier Runoff ◽  
Radar Measurements ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ground Penetrating

Abstract The ongoing retreat of mountain glaciers necessitates the development of future scenarios of glacier runoff. These scenarios are not only governed by future climate scenarios influencing glacier mass balance but also by the glacier volumes, which are subject to melt. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a valuable tool for measuring the thickness of mountain glaciers, although ground-based measurements are labour-intensive, so not all glaciers can be surveyed. This study presents the results of GPR surveys on 64 Alpine glaciers, carried out between 1995 and 2010. The glacier areas range from 0.001 to 18.4 km2, and their ice thickness was surveyed with an average density of 36 points km-2. The point measurements were extrapolated manually to derive volume maps. The mean ice thickness varies between 10 and 92 m; the maximum ice thickness is about three times the mean thickness. According to the glacier state recorded in the second glacier inventory, the 64 glaciers cover an area of 223.3 ± 3.6 km2, with a mean thickness of 50 ± 3 m and a glacier volume of 11.9 ± 1.1 km3. The mean maximum ice thickness is 119 ± 5m.

scholarly journals Ice volume distribution and implications on runoff projections in a glacierized catchment

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 4543-4556 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Gabbi ◽  
D. Farinotti ◽  
A. Bauder ◽  
H. Maurer
Keyword(s):  
Thickness Distribution ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Accurate Determination ◽  
Annual Runoff ◽  
Ice Thickness ◽  
Volume Distribution ◽  
Ice Volume ◽  
Runoff Decrease ◽  
Ground Penetrating ◽  
Thickness Measurements

Abstract. A dense network of helicopter-based ground-penetrating radar (GPR) measurements was used to determine the ice-thickness distribution in the Mauvoisin region. The comprehensive set of ice-thickness measurements was combined with an ice-thickness estimation approach for an accurate determination of the bedrock. A total ice volume of 3.69 ± 0.31 km3 and a maximum ice thickness of 290 m were found. The ice-thickness values were then employed as input for a combined glacio-hydrological model forced by most recent regional climate scenarios. This model provided glacier evolution and runoff projections for the period 2010–2100. Runoff projections of the measured initial ice volume distribution show an increase in annual runoff of 4% in the next two decades, followed by a persistent runoff decrease until 2100. Finally, we checked the influence of the ice-thickness distribution on runoff projections. Our analyses revealed that reliable estimates of the ice volume are essential for modelling future glacier and runoff evolution. Wrong estimations of the total ice volume might even lead to deviations of the predicted general runoff trend.

scholarly journals Changes in ice volume of the Ningchan No.1 Glacier, China, from 1972 to 2014, as derived from in situ measurements

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (242) ◽  
pp. 1025-1033 ◽  
Author(s):  
BO CAO ◽  
BAOTIAN PAN ◽  
WEIJIN GUAN ◽  
JIE WANG ◽  
ZHENLING WEN
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Equilibrium Line Altitude ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Ice Volume ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Maximum Elevation ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ground Penetrating

ABSTRACTGlobal climate change is causing widespread glacier retreat, with many small glaciers disappearing from the world's mountain ranges. We obtained the annual mass balance of a small glacier (the Ningchan No.1 Glacier) located on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, from the years 2010 to 2015 using glaciological and geodetic methods. We also measured the glacier's thickness in 2014 using ground-penetrating radar. Employing topographical maps and ZY-3 images, we obtained Digital Elevation Models for 1972 and 2014. Our results showed that the mean annual mass balance from 2010 to 2015 was ~−0.9 ± 0.5 m w.e. The mean equilibrium line altitude was ~4680 m in the period 2010–15, which exceeds the maximum elevation of the glacier. The glacier has lost area and mass across its elevation range. The mean ice thickness was 24.0 ± 2.5 m in 2014. From 1972 to 2014, the glacier's area shrank from 0.77 ± 0.05 to 0.39 ± 0.04 km2, and the ice volume decreased by (14.96 ± 0.97) × 106 m3, equivalent to (12.72 ± 0.82) × 106 t w.e. over the same period.

scholarly journals Ice thickness distribution of all Swiss glaciers based on extended ground-penetrating radar data and glaciological modeling

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Melchior Grab ◽  
Enrico Mattea ◽  
Andreas Bauder ◽  
Matthias Huss ◽  
Lasse Rabenstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ground Penetrating Radar ◽  
Thickness Distribution ◽  
Radar Data ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Ice Thickness ◽  
Hazard Management ◽  
Bed Topography ◽  
Ice Volume ◽  
Ground Penetrating

Abstract Accurate knowledge of the ice thickness distribution and glacier bed topography is essential for predicting dynamic glacier changes and the future developments of downstream hydrology, which are impacting the energy sector, tourism industry and natural hazard management. Using AIR-ETH, a new helicopter-borne ground-penetrating radar (GPR) platform, we measured the ice thickness of all large and most medium-sized glaciers in the Swiss Alps during the years 2016–20. Most of these had either never or only partially been surveyed before. With this new dataset, 251 glaciers – making up 81% of the glacierized area – are now covered by GPR surveys. For obtaining a comprehensive estimate of the overall glacier ice volume, ice thickness distribution and glacier bed topography, we combined this large amount of data with two independent modeling algorithms. This resulted in new maps of the glacier bed topography with unprecedented accuracy. The total glacier volume in the Swiss Alps was determined to be 58.7 ± 2.5 km3 in the year 2016. By projecting these results based on mass-balance data, we estimated a total ice volume of 52.9 ± 2.7 km3 for the year 2020. Data and modeling results are accessible in the form of the SwissGlacierThickness-R2020 data package.

scholarly journals Measuring and inferring the ice thickness distribution of four glaciers in the Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Lander Van Tricht ◽  
Philippe Huybrechts ◽  
Jonas Van Breedam ◽  
Johannes J. Fürst ◽  
Oleg Rybak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Validation ◽  
Thickness Distribution ◽  
Tien Shan ◽  
Ice Thickness ◽  
Ice Volume ◽  
In Situ Data ◽  
Radio Echo Sounding ◽  
Thickness Measurements ◽  
Tien Shan Mountains

Abstract Glaciers in the Tien Shan mountains contribute considerably to the fresh water used for irrigation, households and energy supply in the dry lowland areas of Kyrgyzstan and its neighbouring countries. To date, reconstructions of the current ice volume and ice thickness distribution remain scarce, and accurate data are largely lacking at the local scale. Here, we present a detailed ice thickness distribution of Ashu-Tor, Bordu, Golubin and Kara-Batkak glaciers derived from radio-echo sounding measurements and modelling. All the ice thickness measurements are used to calibrate three individual models to estimate the ice thickness in inaccessible areas. A cross-validation between modelled and measured ice thickness for a subset of the data is performed to attribute a weight to every model and to assemble a final composite ice thickness distribution for every glacier. Results reveal the thickest ice on Ashu-Tor glacier with values up to 201 ± 12 m. The ice thickness measurements and distributions are also compared with estimates composed without the use of in situ data. These estimates approach the total ice volume well, but local ice thicknesses vary substantially.

scholarly journals On the errors involved in ice-thickness estimates I: ground-penetrating radar measurement errors

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (236) ◽  
pp. 1008-1020 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.J. LAPAZARAN ◽  
J. OTERO ◽  
A. MARTÍN-ESPAÑOL ◽  
F.J. NAVARRO
Keyword(s):  
Ground Penetrating Radar ◽  
Measurement Errors ◽  
Ice Thickness ◽  
Independent Components ◽  
Ice Volume ◽  
Thickness Error ◽  
Grid Points ◽  
Ground Penetrating ◽  
Volume Estimates

ABSTRACTThis is the first (Paper I) of three companion papers focused respectively, on the estimates of the errors in ice thickness retrieved from pulsed ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data, on how to estimate the errors at the grid points of an ice-thickness DEM, and on how the latter errors, plus the boundary delineation errors, affect the ice-volume estimates. We here present a comprehensive analysis of the various errors involved in the computation of ice thickness from pulsed GPR data, assuming they have been properly migrated. We split the ice-thickness error into independent components that can be estimated separately. We consider, among others, the effects of the errors in radio-wave velocity and timing. A novel aspect is the estimate of the error in thickness due to the uncertainty in horizontal positioning of the GPR measurements, based on the local thickness gradient. Another novel contribution is the estimate of the horizontal positioning error of the GPR measurements due to the velocity of the GPR system while profiling, and the periods of GPS refreshing and GPR triggering. Their effects are particularly important for airborne profiling. We illustrate our methodology through a case study of Werenskioldbreen, Svalbard.

scholarly journals Assessment of historical changes (1959-2012) and the causes of recent break-ups of the Petersen ice shelf, Nunavut, Canada

2015 ◽  
Vol 56 (69) ◽  
pp. 65-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrienne White ◽  
Luke Copland ◽  
Derek Mueller ◽  
Wesley Van Wychen
Keyword(s):  
Loss Rate ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Shelf Area ◽  
Ice Shelf ◽  
Pack Ice ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Landfast Sea Ice ◽  
Ice Pressure ◽  
Ground Penetrating ◽  
Thickness Measurements

AbstractAerial photography and satellite imagery of the Petersen ice shelf, Nunavut, Canada, from 1959 to 2012 show that it was stable until June 2005, after which a series of major calving events in the summers of 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2012 resulted in the loss of ∼61% of the June 2005 ice-shelf area. This recent series of calving events was initiated by the loss of extensive regions of ˃50-year-old multi-year landfast sea ice from the front of the ice shelf in summer 2005. Each subsequent calving event has been preceded by open-water conditions and resulting loss of pack-ice pressure across the front of the ice shelf, and most occurred during record warm summers. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) ice thickness measurements and RADARSAT-2 derived observations of surface motion indicate that tributary glaciers provided total ice input of 1.19-5.65 Mta–1 to the ice shelf from 2011 to 2012, far below the mean surface loss rate of 28.45 Mta–1. With recent losses due to calving and little evidence for current basal freeze-on, this suggests that the Petersen ice shelf will no longer exist by the 2040s, or sooner if further major calving events occur.

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