Dynamics Of Icelandic Ice Caps And Outlet Glaciers
Abstract Since late 1972, when the first Landsat images of Iceland became available, the ice caps of Iceland and their outlet glaciers have been under intensive study with Landsat images. The original emphasis of the Landsat research of Icelandic ice caps was to record and quantitatively measure dyn...
| Published in: | Journal of Glaciology |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
1979
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000015136 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000015136 |
| Summary: | Abstract Since late 1972, when the first Landsat images of Iceland became available, the ice caps of Iceland and their outlet glaciers have been under intensive study with Landsat images. The original emphasis of the Landsat research of Icelandic ice caps was to record and quantitatively measure dynamic change of glaciers and phenomena related to glaciers. A comparison of Landsat images with the best available topographic maps revealed a number of discrepancies in the planimetric shape and size of Icelandic ice caps and in the mapping of prominent surface features. Some of the surface features recorded on Landsat images turned out to be the subdued morphological expression of subglacial topography and geologic structure or the surficial response to subglacial volcanic and geothermal activity. Of particular interest was a winter image of Vatnajökull, acquired at a solar elevation angle of 7°, which revealed a number of surficial features not recorded before, including a large volcanic caldera in the Kverkfjöll area. A computer-enhanced early fall image of Vatnajökull revealed similar phenomena, and computer-enhancement techniques have also been applied to summer images of Hofsjökull, Langjökull, Mýrdalsjökull, and Eyjafjallajökull. In the case of Hofsjökull a subglacial volcanic edifice with the approximate dimensions of the Dyngjufjöll massif in north-central Iceland, and possibly with a caldera, may exist. Radio echo-sounding surveys have been carried out over some parts of Vatnajökull and Mýrdalsjökull to determine the precise nature of the subglacial topography, and it is of great interest to compare the results of these surveys of glacier bed topography with the surface features recorded on Landsat and other imagery. Landsat images are also being used to plan the optimum location of field traverses and as a navigational tool (map substitute) during field work. |
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