Glacier monitoring using real-aperture 94 GHz radar

• Published in: Annals of Glaciology
• Main Authors: Harcourt, William D., Robertson, Duncan A., Macfarlane, David G., Rea, Brice R., Spagnolo, Matteo, Benn, Douglas I., James, Mike R.
• Other Authors: University of St Andrews, Royal Geographical Society, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Scottish Alliance for Geoscience, Environment and Society, Norges Forskningsråd
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2022
• Subjects: Glacial Lake; Annals of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/aog.2023.30; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0260305523000307

Abstract Close-range sensors are employed to observe glaciological processes that operate over short timescales (e.g. iceberg calving, glacial lake outburst floods, diurnal surface melting). However, under poor weather conditions optical instruments fail while the operation of radar systems below 17 GHz do not have sufficient angular resolution to map glacier surfaces in detail. This letter reviews the potential of millimetre-wave radar at 94 GHz to obtain high-resolution 3-D measurements of glaciers under most weather conditions. We discuss the theory of 94 GHz radar for glaciology studies, demonstrate its potential to map a glacier calving front and summarise future research priorities.