Articles | Volume 14, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-14-69-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-14-69-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Review of methodological considerations and recommendations for mapping remote glaciers from aerial photography surveys in suboptimal conditions
Dorota Medrzycka
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Geography, Environment, and Geomatics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Luke Copland
Department of Geography, Environment, and Geomatics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Laura Thomson
Department of Geography and Planning, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
William Kochtitzky
School of Marine and Environmental Programs, University of New England, Biddeford, Maine, USA
Braden Smeda
Department of Geography, Environment, and Geomatics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Related authors
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Laurane Charrier, Amaury Dehecq, Lei Guo, Fanny Brun, Romain Millan, Nathan Lioret, Luke Copland, Nathan Maier, Christine Dow, and Paul Halas
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3409, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3409, 2025
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While global annual glacier velocities are openly accessible, sub-annual velocity time series are still lacking. This hinders our ability to understand flow processes and the integration of these observations in numerical models. We introduce an open source Python package called TICOI to fuses multi-temporal and multi-sensor image-pair velocities produced by different processing chains to produce standardized sub-annual velocity products.
Ingalise Kindstedt, Dominic Winski, C. Max Stevens, Emma Skelton, Luke Copland, Karl Kreutz, Mikaila Mannello, Renée Clavette, Jacob Holmes, Mary Albert, and Scott N. Williamson
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3807, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3807, 2025
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Atmospheric warming over mountain glaciers is leading to increased warming and melting of snow as it compresses into glacier ice. This affects both regional hydrology and climate records contained in the ice. Here we use field observations and modeling to show that surface melting and percolation at Eclipse Icefield (Yukon, Canada) is increasing with an increase in extreme melt events, and that compressing snow at Eclipse is likely to continue warming even if air temperatures remain stable.
Shfaqat A. Khan, Helene Seroussi, Mathieu Morlighem, William Colgan, Veit Helm, Gong Cheng, Danjal Berg, Valentina R. Barletta, Nicolaj K. Larsen, William Kochtitzky, Michiel van den Broeke, Kurt H. Kjær, Andy Aschwanden, Brice Noël, Jason E. Box, Joseph A. MacGregor, Robert S. Fausto, Kenneth D. Mankoff, Ian M. Howat, Kuba Oniszk, Dominik Fahrner, Anja Løkkegaard, Eigil Y. H. Lippert, and Javed Hassan
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2024-348, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2024-348, 2024
Revised manuscript accepted for ESSD
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The surface elevation of the Greenland Ice Sheet is changing due to surface mass balance processes and ice dynamics, each exhibiting distinct spatiotemporal patterns. Here, we employ satellite and airborne altimetry data with fine spatial (1 km) and temporal (monthly) resolutions to document this spatiotemporal evolution from 2003 to 2023. This dataset of fine-resolution altimetry data in both space and time will support studies of ice mass loss and useful for GIS ice sheet modelling.
Whyjay Zheng, Shashank Bhushan, Maximillian Van Wyk De Vries, William Kochtitzky, David Shean, Luke Copland, Christine Dow, Renette Jones-Ivey, and Fernando Pérez
The Cryosphere, 17, 4063–4078, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-4063-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-4063-2023, 2023
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We design and propose a method that can evaluate the quality of glacier velocity maps. The method includes two numbers that we can calculate for each velocity map. Based on statistics and ice flow physics, velocity maps with numbers close to the recommended values are considered to have good quality. We test the method using the data from Kaskawulsh Glacier, Canada, and release an open-sourced software tool called GLAcier Feature Tracking testkit (GLAFT) to help users assess their velocity maps.
Ingalise Kindstedt, Kristin M. Schild, Dominic Winski, Karl Kreutz, Luke Copland, Seth Campbell, and Erin McConnell
The Cryosphere, 16, 3051–3070, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-3051-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-3051-2022, 2022
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We show that neither the large spatial footprint of the MODIS sensor nor poorly constrained snow emissivity values explain the observed cold offset in MODIS land surface temperatures (LSTs) in the St. Elias. Instead, the offset is most prominent under conditions associated with near-surface temperature inversions. This work represents an advance in the application of MODIS LSTs to glaciated alpine regions, where we often depend solely on remote sensing products for temperature information.
Naomi E. Ochwat, Shawn J. Marshall, Brian J. Moorman, Alison S. Criscitiello, and Luke Copland
The Cryosphere, 15, 2021–2040, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-2021-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-2021-2021, 2021
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In May 2018 we drilled into Kaskawulsh Glacier to study how it is being affected by climate warming and used models to investigate the evolution of the firn since the 1960s. We found that the accumulation zone has experienced increased melting that has refrozen as ice layers and has formed a perennial firn aquifer. These results better inform climate-induced changes on northern glaciers and variables to take into account when estimating glacier mass change using remote-sensing methods.
William Kochtitzky, Dominic Winski, Erin McConnel, Karl Kreutz, Seth Campbell, Ellyn M. Enderlin, Luke Copland, Scott Williamson, Brittany Main, Christine Dow, and Hester Jiskoot
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2019-72, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2019-72, 2019
Manuscript not accepted for further review
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Donjek Glacier has experienced eight instability events since 1935. Here we use a suite of weather and satellite data to understand the impacts of climate on instability events. We find that while there has been a consistent amount of snow fall between instability events, the relationship between the two is unclear as they are both very consistent on decade timescales. We show that we need further glacier observations to understand why these glaciers become unstable.
Tyler de Jong, Luke Copland, and David Burgess
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2018-250, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2018-250, 2018
Publication in TC not foreseen
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We combine field and remote sensing measurements to describe how snow and ice zones across Devon Ice Cap changed over the period 2004–2011. At the start of this period a dry snow zone existed near the ice cap summit, but by 2011 the dry zone had entirely disappeared and the ablation zone comprised 92 % of the ice cap. This has implications for understanding how Canadian Arctic ice caps are responding to a warming climate, and how they may evolve in the future.
Ellyn M. Enderlin, Caroline J. Carrigan, William H. Kochtitzky, Alexandra Cuadros, Twila Moon, and Gordon S. Hamilton
The Cryosphere, 12, 565–575, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-565-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-565-2018, 2018
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This paper aims to improve the understanding of variations in ocean conditions around the Greenland Ice Sheet, which have been called upon to explain recent glacier change. Changes in iceberg elevation over time, measured using satellite data, are used to estimate average melt rates. We find that iceberg melt rates generally decrease with latitude and increase with keel depth and can be used to characterize ocean conditions at Greenland's inaccessible marine margins.
Andrew K. Hamilton, Bernard E. Laval, Derek R. Mueller, Warwick F. Vincent, and Luke Copland
The Cryosphere, 11, 2189–2211, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-2189-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-2189-2017, 2017
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Meltwater runoff trapped by an ice shelf can create a freshwater lake floating directly on seawater. We show that the depth of the freshwater–seawater interface varies substantially due to changes in meltwater inflow and drainage under the ice shelf. By accounting for seasonality, the interface depth can be used to monitor long-term changes in the thickness of ice shelves. We show that the Milne Ice Shelf, Ellesmere Island, was stable before 2004, after which time the ice shelf thinned rapidly.
Laurence Gray, David Burgess, Luke Copland, Thorben Dunse, Kirsty Langley, and Geir Moholdt
The Cryosphere, 11, 1041–1058, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-1041-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-1041-2017, 2017
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We use surface height data from west Greenland and Devon Ice Cap to check the performance of the new interferometric mode of the ESA CryoSat radar altimeter. The detailed height comparison allows an improved system calibration and processing methodology and measurement of the height of supraglacial lakes which form each summer around the periphery of the Greenland Ice Cap. The advantages of the SARIn mode suggest that future satellite radar altimeters for glacial ice should use this technology.
L. Gray, D. Burgess, L. Copland, M. N. Demuth, T. Dunse, K. Langley, and T. V. Schuler
The Cryosphere, 9, 1895–1913, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1895-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1895-2015, 2015
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We show that the Cryosat (CS) radar altimeter can measure elevation change on a variety of Arctic ice caps. With the frequent coverage of Cryosat it is even possible to track summer surface height loss due to extensive melt; no other satellite altimeter has been able to do this. However, we also show that under cold conditions there is a bias between the surface and Cryosat detected elevation which varies with the conditions of the upper snow and firn layers.
L. Gray, D. Burgess, L. Copland, R. Cullen, N. Galin, R. Hawley, and V. Helm
The Cryosphere, 7, 1857–1867, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-1857-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-1857-2013, 2013
A. White and L. Copland
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tcd-7-1-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/tcd-7-1-2013, 2013
Revised manuscript not accepted
Related subject area
Field campaign
New proglacial meteorology and river stage observations from Inglefield Land and Pituffik, NW Greenland
Passive seismic experiment “AniMaLS” in the Polish Sudetes (NE Variscides)
Easy to build low-power GPS drifters with local storage and a cellular modem made from off-the-shelf components
Monitoring aseismic creep trends in the İsmetpaşa and Destek segments throughout the North Anatolian Fault (NAF) with a large-scale GPS network
A soil moisture monitoring network to characterize karstic recharge and evapotranspiration at five representative sites across the globe
Nordic Snow Radar Experiment
Spatial and temporal variation of bulk snow properties in northern boreal and tundra environments based on extensive field measurements
Sodankylä manual snow survey program
Arctic Snow Microstructure Experiment for the development of snow emission modelling
Thermal-plume fibre optic tracking (T-POT) test for flow velocity measurement in groundwater boreholes
Inner structure of the Puy de Dôme volcano: cross-comparison of geophysical models (ERT, gravimetry, muon imaging)
Observing desert dust devils with a pressure logger
Sarah E. Esenther, Laurence C. Smith, Adam LeWinter, Lincoln H. Pitcher, Brandon T. Overstreet, Aaron Kehl, Cuyler Onclin, Seth Goldstein, and Jonathan C. Ryan
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 12, 215–230, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-12-215-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-12-215-2023, 2023
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Meltwater runoff estimates from the Greenland ice sheet contain uncertainty. To better understand ice sheet hydrology, we installed a weather station and river stage sensors along three proglacial rivers in a cold-bedded area of NW Greenland without firn, crevasse, or moulin influence. The first 3 years (2019–2021) of observations have given us a first look at the seasonal and annual weather and hydrological patterns of this understudied region.
Monika Bociarska, Julia Rewers, Dariusz Wójcik, Weronika Materkowska, Piotr Środa, and the AniMaLS Working Group
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 10, 183–202, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-10-183-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-10-183-2021, 2021
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This paper describes a seismic dataset acquired by network of broadband sensors in Poland and technical issues related to data acquisition. We describe a new azimuth-transfer device for precise sensor orientation and apply methods for data-based orientation checking. We analyse the seismic noise level and discuss effect of geology at sites on character of seismic data and noise. We show data examples and describe methods of seismic data interpretation for studies of lithospheric structure.
Rolf Hut, Thanda Thatoe Nwe Win, and Thom Bogaard
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 9, 435–442, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-9-435-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-9-435-2020, 2020
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GPS drifters that float down rivers are important tools in studying rivers, but they can be expensive. Recently, both GPS receivers and cellular modems have become available at lower prices to tinkering scientists due to the rise of open hardware and the Arduino. We provide detailed instructions on how to build a low-power GPS drifter with local storage and a cellular model that we tested in a fieldwork in Myanmar. These instructions allow fellow geoscientists to recreate the device.
Hasan Hakan Yavaşoğlu, Mehmet Nurullah Alkan, Serdar Bilgi, and Öykü Alkan
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 9, 25–40, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-9-25-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-9-25-2020, 2020
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This study has been carried out within the scope of a project supported by the Istanbul Technical, Afyon Kocatepe and Hitit universities. The data were obtained from annual GPS campaigns. With this study, the actual velocity field of the region was revealed and the deformations of the region were determined. In particular, the creep, which is a rare phenomenon in tectonics, was studied in order to understand its mechanism and whether it is present in the region or not.
Romane Berthelin, Michael Rinderer, Bartolomé Andreo, Andy Baker, Daniela Kilian, Gabriele Leonhardt, Annette Lotz, Kurt Lichtenwoehrer, Matías Mudarra, Ingrid Y. Padilla, Fernando Pantoja Agreda, Rafael Rosolem, Abel Vale, and Andreas Hartmann
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 9, 11–23, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-9-11-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-9-11-2020, 2020
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We present the setup of a soil moisture monitoring network, which is implemented at five karstic sites with different climates across the globe. More than 400 soil moisture probes operating at a high spatio-temporal resolution will improve the understanding of groundwater recharge and evapotranspiration processes in karstic areas.
Juha Lemmetyinen, Anna Kontu, Jouni Pulliainen, Juho Vehviläinen, Kimmo Rautiainen, Andreas Wiesmann, Christian Mätzler, Charles Werner, Helmut Rott, Thomas Nagler, Martin Schneebeli, Martin Proksch, Dirk Schüttemeyer, Michael Kern, and Malcolm W. J. Davidson
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 5, 403–415, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-5-403-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-5-403-2016, 2016
Henna-Reetta Hannula, Juha Lemmetyinen, Anna Kontu, Chris Derksen, and Jouni Pulliainen
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 5, 347–363, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-5-347-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-5-347-2016, 2016
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The paper described an extensive in situ data set of bulk snow depth, snow water equivalent, and snow density collected as a support of SnowSAR-2 airborne campaign in northern Finland. The spatial and temporal variability of these snow properties was analyzed in different land cover types. The success of the chosen measurement protocol to provide an accurate reference for the simultaneous SAR data products was analyzed in the context of spatial scale, sample size, and uncertainty.
Leena Leppänen, Anna Kontu, Henna-Reetta Hannula, Heidi Sjöblom, and Jouni Pulliainen
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 5, 163–179, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-5-163-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-5-163-2016, 2016
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The manual snow survey program of Finnish Meteorological Institute consists of numerous observations of natural seasonal snowpack in Sodankylä, in northern Finland. Systematic snow measurements began in 1911 with snow depth and snow water equivalent. In 2006 the manual snow survey program expanded to cover snow macro- and microstructure from snow pits. Extensive time series of manual snow measurements are important for the monitoring of temporal and spatial changes in seasonal snowpack.
William Maslanka, Leena Leppänen, Anna Kontu, Mel Sandells, Juha Lemmetyinen, Martin Schneebeli, Martin Proksch, Margret Matzl, Henna-Reetta Hannula, and Robert Gurney
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 5, 85–94, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-5-85-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-5-85-2016, 2016
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The paper presents the initial findings of the Arctic Snow Microstructure Experiment in Sodankylä, Finland. The experiment observed the microwave emission of extracted snow slabs on absorbing and reflecting bases. Snow parameters were recorded to simulate the emission upon those bases using two different emission models. The smallest simulation errors were associated with the absorbing base at vertical polarization. The observations will be used for the development of snow emission modelling.
T. Read, V. F. Bense, R. Hochreutener, O. Bour, T. Le Borgne, N. Lavenant, and J. S. Selker
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 4, 197–202, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-4-197-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-4-197-2015, 2015
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The monitoring and measurement of water flow in groundwater wells allows us to understand how aquifers transmit water. In this paper we develop a simple method, which we call T-POT, that allows flows to be estimated by tracking the movement of a small parcel of warmed water. The parcel is tracked using fibre optic temperature sensing - a technology that allows detailed measurements of temperature, and therefore flow using the T-POT method, to be made in the well.
A. Portal, P. Labazuy, J.-F. Lénat, S. Béné, P. Boivin, E. Busato, C. Cârloganu, C. Combaret, P. Dupieux, F. Fehr, P. Gay, I. Laktineh, D. Miallier, L. Mirabito, V. Niess, and B. Vulpescu
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 2, 47–54, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-2-47-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-2-47-2013, 2013
R. D. Lorenz
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 1, 209–220, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-1-209-2012, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-1-209-2012, 2012
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Short summary
This work explores the use of aerial photography surveys for mapping glaciers, specifically in challenging environments. Using examples from two glaciers in Arctic Canada, we discuss the main factors which can affect data collection and review methods for capturing and processing images to create accurate topographic maps. Key recommendations include choosing the right camera and positioning equipment and adapting survey design to maximise data quality, even under less-than-ideal conditions.
This work explores the use of aerial photography surveys for mapping glaciers, specifically in...