scholarly journals Region-wide glacier mass balances over the Pamir-Karakoram-Himalaya during 1999–2011

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 975-1028 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Gardelle ◽  
E. Berthier ◽  
Y. Arnaud ◽  
A. Kääb
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Western Himalaya ◽  
Mass Gain ◽  
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission ◽  
Eastern Himalaya ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Stereo Imagery ◽  
Elevation Model ◽  
Moderate Mass

Abstract. The recent evolution of Pamir-Karakoram-Himalaya (PKH) glaciers, widely acknowledged as valuable high-altitude as well as mid-latitude climatic indicators, remains poorly known. To overcome the lack of region-wide mass balance data, we compared the 2000 Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model (DEM) to recent (2008–2011) DEMs derived from SPOT5 stereo-imagery for 8 sites spread from Pamir to eastern Himalaya. The region-wide glacier mass balances were contrasted during the last decade, with moderate mass losses in eastern and central Himalaya (−0.21 ± 0.10 m yr−1 w.e. to −0.29 ± 0.09 m yr−1 w.e.) and larger losses in western Himalaya (−0.41 ± 0.11 m yr−1 w.e.). Recently reported slight mass gain of glaciers in central Karakoram is confirmed for a larger area (+0.10 ± 0.19 m yr−1 w.e.) and, new, also observed for glaciers in western Pamir (+0.14 ± 0.10 m yr−1 w.e.). We propose that the "Karakoram anomaly" should be renamed the "Pamir-Karakoram anomaly", at least for the last decade. The overall mass balance of PKH glaciers is estimated at −0.12 ± 0.06 m yr−1 w.e. In contrast to Indus, the relative glacier imbalance contribution to Brahmaputra and Ganges discharges is higher than previously modeled glacier seasonal contribution.

scholarly journals Region-wide glacier mass balances over the Pamir-Karakoram-Himalaya during 1999–2011

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1263-1286 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Gardelle ◽  
E. Berthier ◽  
Y. Arnaud ◽  
A. Kääb
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Western Himalaya ◽  
Mass Gain ◽  
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission ◽  
Eastern Himalaya ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Grace Data ◽  
Stereo Imagery ◽  
Study Sites

Abstract. The recent evolution of Pamir-Karakoram-Himalaya (PKH) glaciers, widely acknowledged as valuable high-altitude as well as mid-latitude climatic indicators, remains poorly known. To estimate the region-wide glacier mass balance for 9 study sites spread from the Pamir to the Hengduan Shan (eastern Himalaya), we compared the 2000 Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model (DEM) to recent (2008–2011) DEMs derived from SPOT5 stereo imagery. During the last decade, the region-wide glacier mass balances were contrasted with moderate mass losses in the eastern and central Himalaya (−0.22 ± 0.12 m w.e. yr−1 to −0.33 ± 0.14 m w.e. yr−1) and larger losses in the western Himalaya (−0.45 ± 0.13 m w.e. yr−1). Recently reported slight mass gain or balanced mass budget of glaciers in the central Karakoram is confirmed for a larger area (+0.10 ± 0.16 m w.e. yr−1) and also observed for glaciers in the western Pamir (+0.14 ± 0.13 m w.e. yr−1). Thus, the "Karakoram anomaly" should be renamed the "Pamir-Karakoram anomaly", at least for the last decade. The overall mass balance of PKH glaciers, −0.14 ± 0.08 m w.e. yr−1, is two to three times less negative than the global average for glaciers distinct from the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. Together with recent studies using ICESat and GRACE data, DEM differencing confirms a contrasted pattern of glacier mass change in the PKH during the first decade of the 21st century.

scholarly journals Glacier mass balance over the central Nyainqentanglha Range during recent decades derived from remote-sensing data

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (251) ◽  
pp. 422-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
KUNPENG WU ◽  
SHIYIN LIU ◽  
ZONGLI JIANG ◽  
JUNLI XU ◽  
JUNFENG WEI
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission ◽  
Topographic Maps ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Glacier Area ◽  
Ice Surface ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Elevation Changes ◽  
Elevation Model

ABSTRACTTo obtain information on changes in glacier mass balance in the central Nyainqentanglha Range, a comprehensive study was carried out based on digital-elevation models derived from the 1968 topographic maps, the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission DEM (2000) and TerraSAR-X/TanDEM-X (2013). Glacier area changes between 1968 and 2016 were derived from topographic maps and Landsat OLI images. This showed the area contained 715 glaciers, with an area of 1713.42 ± 51.82 km2, in 2016. Ice cover has been shrinking by 0.68 ± 0.05% a−1 since 1968. The glacier area covered by debris accounted for 11.9% of the total and decreased in the SE–NW directions. Using digital elevation model differencing and differential synthetic aperture radar interferometry, a significant mass loss of 0.46 ± 0.10 m w.e. a−1 has been recorded since 1968; mass losses accelerated from 0.42 ± 0.20 m w.e. a−1 to 0.60 ± 0.20 m w.e. a−1 between 1968–2000 and 2000–2013, with thinning noticeably greater on the debris-covered ice than the clean ice. Surface-elevation changes can be influenced by ice cliffs, as well as debris cover and land- or lake-terminating glaciers. Changes showed spatial and temporal heterogeneity and a substantial correlation with climate warming and decreased precipitation.

scholarly journals 21st-century increase in glacier mass loss in the Wrangell Mountains, Alaska, USA, from airborne laser altimetry and satellite stereo imagery

2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (220) ◽  
pp. 283-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Indrani Das ◽  
Regine Hock ◽  
Etienne Berthier ◽  
Craig S. Lingle
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Center Line ◽  
Laser Altimetry ◽  
Tidewater Glaciers ◽  
Airborne Laser ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Stereo Imagery ◽  
Elevation Model

AbstractAlaskan glaciers are among the largest regional contributors to sea-level rise in the latter half of the 20th century. Earlier studies have documented extensive and accelerated ice wastage in most regions of Alaska. Here we study five decades of mass loss on high-elevation, land-terminating glaciers of the Wrangell Mountains (~ 4900 km2) in central Alaska based on airborne center-line laser altimetry data from 2000 and 2007, a digital elevation model (DEM) from ASTER and SPOT5, and US Geological Survey topographic maps from 1957. The regional mass-balance estimates derived from center-line laser altimetry profiles using two regional extrapolation techniques agree well with that from DEM differencing. Repeat altimetry measurements reveal accelerated mass loss over the Wrangell Mountains, with the regional mass-balance rate evolving from –0.07 ± 0.19 m w.e. a–1 during 1957–2000 to –0.24 ± 0.16 m w.e. a–1 during 2000–07. Nabesna, the largest glacier in this region (˜1056 km2), lost mass four times faster during 2000–07 than during 1957–2000. Although accelerated, the mass change over this region is slower than in other glacierized regions of Alaska, particularly those with tidewater glaciers. Together, our laser altimetry and satellite DEM analyses demonstrate increased wastage of these glaciers during the last 50 years.

scholarly journals Mass-balance changes of the debris-covered glaciers in the Langtang Himal, Nepal, from 1974 to 1999

2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (226) ◽  
pp. 373-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Pellicciotti ◽  
Christa Stephan ◽  
Evan Miles ◽  
Sam Herreid ◽  
Walter W. Immerzeel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Ice Melt ◽  
Supraglacial Lakes ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Spatial Differences ◽  
Elevation Model ◽  
Glacier Ablation ◽  
The Himalaya

AbstractThick debris cover on glaciers can significantly reduce ice melt. However, several studies have suggested that debris-covered glaciers in the Himalaya might have lost mass at a rate similar to debris-free glaciers. We reconstruct elevation and mass changes for the debris-covered glaciers of the upper Langtang valley, Nepalese Himalaya, using a digital elevation model (DEM) from 1974 stereo Hexagon satellite data and the 2000 SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) DEM. Uncertainties are high in the accumulation areas, due to data gaps in the SRTM and difficulties with delineation of the glacier borders. Even with these uncertainties, we obtain thinning rates comparable to those of several other studies in the Himalaya. In particular, we obtain a total mass balance for the investigated debris-covered glaciers of the basin of –0.32 ± 0.18 m w.e. a−1. However, there are major spatial differences both between glaciers and within any single glacier, exhibiting a very distinct nonlinear mass-balance profile with elevation. Through analysis of surface velocities derived from Landsat ETM+ imagery, we show that thinning occurs in areas of low velocity and low slope. These areas are prone to a general, dynamic decay of surface features and to the development of supraglacial lakes and ice cliffs, which may be responsible for a considerable increase in overall glacier ablation.

scholarly journals Glacier topography and elevation changes from Pléiades very high resolution stereo images

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 4849-4883 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Berthier ◽  
C. Vincent ◽  
E. Magnússon ◽  
Á. Þ. Gunnlaugsson ◽  
P. Pitte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Field Measurements ◽  
Ground Control ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Control Points ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Ground Control Points ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Stereo Imagery ◽  
Elevation Changes ◽  
Very High

Abstract. In response to climate change, most glaciers are losing mass and hence contribute to sea-level rise. Repeated and accurate mapping of their surface topography is required to estimate their mass balance and to extrapolate/calibrate sparse field glaciological measurements. In this study we evaluate the potential of Pléiades sub-meter stereo imagery to derive digital elevation models (DEMs) of glaciers and their elevation changes. Our five validation sites are located in Iceland, the European Alps, the Central Andes, Nepal and Antarctica. For all sites, nearly simultaneous field measurements were collected to evaluate the Pléiades DEMs. For Iceland, the Pléiades DEM is also compared to a Lidar DEM. The vertical biases of the Pléiades DEMs are less than 1 m if ground control points (GCPs) are used, but reach up to 6 m without GCPs. Even without GCPs, vertical biases can be reduced to a few decimetres by horizontal and vertical co-registration of the DEMs to reference altimetric data on ice-free terrain. Around these biases, the vertical precision of the Pléiades DEMs is ±1 m and even ±0.5 m on the flat glacier tongues (1-sigma confidence level). We also demonstrate the high potential of Pléiades DEMs for measuring seasonal, annual and multi-annual elevation changes with an accuracy of 1 m or better. The negative glacier-wide mass balances of the Argentière Glacier and Mer de Glace (−1.21 ± 0.16 and −1.19 ± 0.16 m.w.e. yr−1, respectively) are revealed by differencing SPOT5 and Pléiades DEMs acquired in August 2003 and 2012 demonstrating the continuing rapid glacial wastage in the Mont-Blanc area.

scholarly journals MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERIZATION OF THE HYDROGRAPHIC BASIN OF JAUQUARA RIVER IN THE TRANSITION BETWEEN THE CERRADO AND AMAZON BIOMES IN MATO GROSSO-BRAZIL

FLORESTA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 325
Author(s):  
Gabriel Americo Cassettari ◽  
Tadeu Miranda De Queiroz
Keyword(s):  
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Circularity Index ◽  
Elevation Model ◽  
Basin Area ◽  
Morphometric Characterization ◽  
Effective Water ◽  
Unpublished Information

This study aimed to perform the Jauquara river watershed morphometric characterization. To watershed delimitation was used SRTM 30 type Digital Elevation Model (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, with spatial resolution of 30 m) provided by USGS Earth Explorer platform. The geographic information system used to watershed delimitation process and maps generation was ArcGIS 10.1 from ESRI®. The morphometric variables calculus was based on classic methodologies of Applied Hydrology. The watershed has an area of 1408,03 km2 and perimeter of 288,43 km with compactness coefficient and circularity index of Kc = 2.15 and Ic = 0.21, respectively, which show an elongated shape. The drainage was classified as 5th order, reinforcing the configuration of the drainage network with a wide hydric distribution. The predominant altitude range is between 368 and 552 m, which corresponds to an area of 478.10 km2. It was observed that there is a predominance of smooth-wavy and undulated reliefs (3-8%, 8-20% slope), which correspond to 38,05% and 23,04% of the total basin area respectively. The morphometric characterization of the basin made it possible to obtain unpublished information that contributes to the decision making regarding the effective water management in the studied area, being this a guiding study for other works

scholarly journals The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission Digital Elevation Model as an alternative data source for deriving hydrological characteristics in lowland catchment — Rogożynek catchment case study

2009 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michał Wasilewski ◽  
Jarosław Chormański
Keyword(s):  
Digital Elevation Model ◽  
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission ◽  
Srtm Dem ◽  
Hydrological Characteristics ◽  
Wetspa Model ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Data Source ◽  
Elevation Model ◽  
Topography Data

The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission Digital Elevation Model as an alternative data source for deriving hydrological characteristics in lowland catchment — Rogożynek catchment case study This paper describes possibility of supplementing digital topography data needed for hydrologic modeling (WetSpa model) of lowland catchment with existing, freely available DEM data obtained from Shuttle Radar Topography Mission launched on February 11th, 2000. Rogożynek basin (Upper Biebrza) as case study is given. Authors compared three DEMs: topographic — TOPO DEM 20 (20 m resolution), radar — SRTM DEM 90 (90 m res.) and resampled radar — SRTM DEM 20 (20 m res.). There were several characteristics compared and analyzed like: relative height differences, slopes, generated river network and generated subwatersheds (subbasins).

scholarly journals Geomorpho90m - Global high-resolution geomorphometry layers: empirical evaluation and accuracy assessment

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Amatulli ◽  
Daniel McInerney ◽  
Tushar Sethi ◽  
Peter Strobl ◽  
Sami Domisch
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Accuracy Assessment ◽  
Empirical Evaluation ◽  
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission ◽  
The United States ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Environmental Models ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Elevation Model

Topographical relief is composed of the vertical and horizontal variations of the Earth's terrain and drives processes in geography, climatology, hydrology, and ecology. Its assessment and characterisation is fundamental for various types of modelling and simulation analyses. In this regard, the Multi-Error-Removed Improved Terrain (MERIT) Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is the best global, high-resolution DEM currently available at a 3 arc-seconds (90 m) resolution. This is an improved product as multiple error components have been corrected from the underlying Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM3) and ALOS World 3D - 30 m (AW3D30) DEMs. To depict topographical variations worldwide, we developed the Geomorpho90m dataset comprising of different geomorphometry features derived from the MERIT-DEM. The fully standardised geomorphometry variables consist of layers that describe (i) the rate of change using the first and second order derivatives, (ii) the ruggedness, and (iii) the geomorphology landform. To assess how remaining artefacts in the MERIT-DEM could affect the derived topographic variables, we compared our results with the same variables generated using the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) DEM, which is the highest quality DEM for the United States of America. We compared the two data sources by calculating the first order derivative (i.e., the rate of change through space measured in degrees) of the difference between a MERIT-derived vs. a 3DEP-derived topographic variable. All newly-created topographic variables are readily available at resolutions of 3 and 7.5 arc-seconds under the WGS84 geographic system, and at a spatial resolution of 100 m under the Equi7 projection. The newly-developed Geomorpho90m dataset provides a globally standardised dataset for environmental models and analyses in the field of geography, geology, hydrology, ecology and biogeography.

scholarly journals Sensitivity of alpine glacial change detection and mass balance to sampling and datum inconsistencies

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-101
Author(s):  
T. Goulden ◽  
C. Hopkinson ◽  
M. N. Demuth
Keyword(s):  
Change Detection ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Surface Profile ◽  
Error Sources ◽  
Sampling Schemes ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Vertical Datum ◽  
Sampling Intervals ◽  
Elevation Model ◽  
Glacial Change

Abstract. Glacial mass balance estimated through the geodetic method requires glacial surface coordinate observations from historical and contemporary sources. Contemporary observations and historical topographic maps are typically referenced to separate horizontal and vertical datums and observed with different sampling intervals. This research demonstrates the sensitivity of glacial change detection to the datum considerations and sampling schemes through case studies of Andrei, Bridge and Peyto glaciers in Western Canada. To simulate the procedure of observing the glacial surfaces, profile lines were sampled from Digital Elevation Model (DEMs) on contour intervals for historical data and horizontal intervals for contemporary data. Profile lines from the following scenarios were compared: (1) different horizontal and vertical sampling schemes; (2) the horizontal datum was correctly reconciled but the vertical datum was not; (3) the vertical datum was correctly reconciled but the horizontal datum was not; (4) both the horizontal and vertical datums were correctly reconciled; and (5) both the horizontal and vertical datums were incorrectly reconciled. Vertical errors of up to 6.9 m, 6.0 m and 5.0 m were observed due to sampling effects and vertical errors of 22.2 m, 9.9 m and 55.0 m were observed due to datum inconsistencies on Bridge, Andrei and Peyto glacier respectively. Horizontal datum inconsistencies manifested as erratic levels of growth or downwasting along the glacial surface profile and vertical datum errors manifested as a consistent vertical offset. Datum inconsistencies were identified to contribute errors of up to 257.2 × 106 m3 (or 87%) and 54.6 × 106 m3 (or 580%) of estimated volume change below and above the equilibrium line respectively on Peyto Glacier. The results of this study provide an estimate of typical errors due to sampling constraints or datum inconsistencies as well as guidance for identifying where these error sources have contaminated mass balance results.

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