Multiscale change detection in a supraglacial stream using surface drifters

High-resolution (1 – 10 m) observations of supraglacial streams are needed to improve process understanding and inform low-resolution (25 – 100 m) remote sensing observations and numerical models. To address this, we built small (0.25 m diameter) satellite positioning drifters. The devices recorded...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Tuhtan, J.A., Alexander, Andreas, Kruusma, Maarja, Fuentes-Pérez, J.F.
Format: Book Part
Language:English
Published: CRC Press 2020
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10852/83995
http://urn.nb.no/URN:NBN:no-86726
https://doi.org/10.1201/b22619
Description
Summary:High-resolution (1 – 10 m) observations of supraglacial streams are needed to improve process understanding and inform low-resolution (25 – 100 m) remote sensing observations and numerical models. To address this, we built small (0.25 m diameter) satellite positioning drifters. The devices recorded the surface flow velocity, linear acceleration and magnetic field intensity along a 250 m supraglacial channel during the summer ablation period from 30.06 to 04.07.2019 at Austre Brøggerbreen, Svalbard. Cross correlation analysis was performed on channel-fitted coordinates. Multiscale change detection was carried out by increasing the averaging window of the time series data and the stream-wise spacing of the drifter’s planar coordinates. The locations of channel bends and step-risers were found to correspond to clearly defined changes in the streamwise cross correlations of the flow speed, magnetic field intensity magnitude and acceleration magnitude. The proposed drifter-based approach provides a simple method to collect and assess high-resolution satellite drifter data for multiscale planform change detection in supraglacial channels.