Evaluation of remote-sensing techniques to measure decadal-scale changes of Hofsjokull ice cap, Iceland
Journal of Glaciology
By: D.K. Hall, R.S. Williams Jr., J.S. Barton, O. Sigurdsson, L.C. Smith, and J.B. Garvin
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Abstract
Dynamic surficial changes and changes in the position of the firn line and the areal extent of Hofsjökull ice cap, Iceland, were studied through analysis of a time series (1973–98) of synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) and Landsat data. A digital elevation model of Hofsjökull, which was constructed using SAR interferometry, was used to plot the SAR backscatter coefficient (σ°) vs elevation and air temperature along transects across the ice cap. Seasonal and daily σ° patterns are caused by freezing or thawing of the ice-cap surface, and abrupt changes in σ° are noted when the air temperature ranges from ∼−5° to 0°C. Late-summer 1997 σ° (SAR) and reflectance (Landsat) boundaries agree and appear to be coincident with the firn line and a SAR σ° boundary that can be seen in the January 1998 SAR image. In January 1994 through 1998, the elevation of this σ° boundary on the ice capwas quite stable, ranging from 1000 to 1300 m, while the equilibrium-line altitude, as measured on the ground, varied considerably. Thus the equilibrium line may be obscured by firn from previous years. Techniques are established to measure long-term changes in the elevation of the firn line and changes in the position of the ice margin.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Evaluation of remote-sensing techniques to measure decadal-scale changes of Hofsjokull ice cap, Iceland |
| Series title | Journal of Glaciology |
| DOI | 10.3189/172756500781833061 |
| Volume | 46 |
| Issue | 154 |
| Year Published | 2000 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center |
| Description | 14 p. |
| First page | 375 |
| Last page | 388 |
| Country | Iceland |
| Other Geospatial | Hofsjokull ice cap |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |