Assessment of glaciological parameters using Landsat satellite data in Svartisen, Northern Norway. EARSeL e-Proc
The aim of the study was to assess mass balance related glaciological parameters using Landsat data in Svartisen, in northern Norway. Four Landsat (ETM+ 2001 and 1999, TM 1994 and MSS 1978) scenes were used in order to classify the glacier into zones of ice, firn and snow using maximum likelihood cl...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2003
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.625.4596 http://las.physik.uni-oldenburg.de/eProceedings/vol02_1/02_1_heiskanen1.pdf |
| Summary: | The aim of the study was to assess mass balance related glaciological parameters using Landsat data in Svartisen, in northern Norway. Four Landsat (ETM+ 2001 and 1999, TM 1994 and MSS 1978) scenes were used in order to classify the glacier into zones of ice, firn and snow using maximum likelihood classifier. The pre-processing of the data included ortho-rectification, topographic correc-tion and relative radiometric normalisation. Glacier borders were delineated and classifications were used for the assessment of snowline and AAR (accumulation area ratio), which were compared to in situ front position and net balance measurements. The Landsat 7 ETM+ thermal infrared band was found to be an effective means to separate glacier and surroundings, even in the areas of very pro-nounced topographic effect and shade. Classifications were considered to be accurate because of the simple classification scheme used and good differentiation between classes. Visual interpretation of the snowline was found to be essential. A good fit between mass balance measurements and as-sessed snowline and AAR was found. The results showed also that the pre-processing methods used could increase the value of the data, and that meteorological data is crucial in order to assess the suitability of the acquisition date. The results support the high potential of optical Landsat data for operational monitoring of glaciers. |
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