Monitoring of Helheim Glacier Dynamics Using the Open-Source High-Resolution Satellite Imagery

• Main Authors: Kolar, Katarina, Domazetović, Fran, Panđa, Lovre, Milošević, Rina
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: University of Zagreb – Faculty of Geodesy, Zagreb, Croatia 2024
• Subjects: glacial dynamics; Helheim; remote sensing; climate change; PlanetScope; glacier; Greenland; Ice Sheet
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11643795

In recent years, climate change-driven pressures have been causing accelerated ice loss on the Greenland Ice Sheet, leading to the gradual seal level rise. Monitoring of spatio-temporal changes (STCs) created by ice melt and calving is essential for comprehending present glacial dynamics, as well as for the forecasting of future trends. In this study, we investigate the suitability of open-source high-resolution (HR) satellite imagery from various satellite constellations for monitoring and quantifying of multi-year glacial dynamics. Monitoring of glacial dynamics was applied for a multi-year period (2010–2023) over the Helheim Glacier, one of the largest outlet glaciers of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Multi-year STCs at the Helheim Glacier were determined using the open-source satellite imagery provided by Google Earth Engine (2010–2016) and the Planet constellation (2016–2023). To determine multiyear glacier dynamics, the terminus of the Helheim Glacier was extracted from available satellite imagery. Intensity of linear and areal STCs was calculated for each extracted glacier terminus using the Digital shoreline analysis system (DSAS) extension for ArcGIS 10.1. Available HR open-source satellite imagery has provided insights into the multi-year glacial dynamics of the Helheim Glacier. Although determined multi-year glacier dynamics are highly variable, prominent trend of accelerated retreat at Helheim Glacier was observed for analysed timeframe.