Application of glas laser altimetry to detect elevation changes in East Antarctica

In this paper the use of ICESat/GLAS laser altimeter for estimating multi-temporal elevation changes on polar ice sheets is afforded. Due to non-overlapping laser spots during repeat passes, interpolation methods are required to make comparisons. After reviewing the main methods described in the lit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
Main Authors: M. Scaioni, X. Tong, R. Li
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2013
Subjects:
T
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.5194/isprsannals-II-5-W2-253-2013
https://doaj.org/article/c1756a88efc7440c92ea27639d7da2ff
Description
Summary:In this paper the use of ICESat/GLAS laser altimeter for estimating multi-temporal elevation changes on polar ice sheets is afforded. Due to non-overlapping laser spots during repeat passes, interpolation methods are required to make comparisons. After reviewing the main methods described in the literature ( crossover point analysis, cross-track DEM projection, space-temporal regressions ), the last one has been chosen for its capability of providing more elevation change rate measurements. The standard implementation of the space-temporal linear regression technique has been revisited and improved to better cope with outliers and to check the estimability of model’s parameters. GLAS data over the PANDA route in East Antarctica have been used for testing. Obtained results have been quite meaningful from a physical point of view, confirming the trend reported by the literature of a constant snow accumulation in the area during the two past decades, unlike the most part of the continent that has been losing mass.