Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2016-292
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2016-292
05 Jan 2017
 | 05 Jan 2017
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal TC but the revision was not accepted.

Use of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to assess recent surface elevation change of Storbreen in Norway

Walter Immerzeel, Philip Kraaijenbrink, and Liss Andreassen

Abstract. Routinely and accurate monitoring of the outlines and surface mass balance of glaciers is essential. In this study an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was used in September 2015 on a mountain glacier (Storbreen) in Norway to map the glacier outline, snow line and to derive a digital elevation model (DEM) of the glacier surface. The generated DEM has a relatively high accuracy with maximum horizontal RMSE of 0.36 m vertical RMSE of 0.44 m and the Structure for Motion algorithm also proved to be suitable under low contrast, high saturation fully snow covered conditions. A well distributed set of markers, measured by GPS, was required to generate a high quality DEM under the yielding conditions. The final UAV DEM was compared to a laser based DEM of 2009 and the annual geodetic mass balance between 2015 and 2009 was estimated to be between −0.71 ± 0.1 m w.e. and −0.75 m ± 0.1 w.e., which is in good agreement with the glaciological mass balance of −0.80 m ± 0.18 w.e. a−1. An analysis of the glacier outlines reveal that the glacier has lost 1.2 % of its surface area between 2009 and 2015. These findings confirm the strong mass loss and retreat of continental glaciers in southern Norway.

Walter Immerzeel, Philip Kraaijenbrink, and Liss Andreassen
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
Walter Immerzeel, Philip Kraaijenbrink, and Liss Andreassen
Walter Immerzeel, Philip Kraaijenbrink, and Liss Andreassen

Viewed

Total article views: 1,955 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
1,150 636 169 1,955 109 168
  • HTML: 1,150
  • PDF: 636
  • XML: 169
  • Total: 1,955
  • BibTeX: 109
  • EndNote: 168
Views and downloads (calculated since 05 Jan 2017)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 05 Jan 2017)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 1,847 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 1,844 with geography defined and 3 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 

Cited

Latest update: 28 Mar 2024
Download
Short summary
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) have become increasingly popular in environmental monitoring. In this study we use a UAV to derive a very detailed digital elevation model (DEM) of Storbreen in Norway. We compare our results with a past DEM to derive the mass balance of this glacier. Our results confirm strong mass loss and retreat of continental glaciers in southern Norway and we conclude that UAVs are effective tools in stuyding mountain glaciers at a high level of detail.