Passive microwave (SSM/I) satellite predictions of valley glacier hydrology, Matanuska Glacier, Alaska
Geophysical Research Letters
By: S.E. Kopczynski, J. Ramage, D. Lawson, S. Goetz, E. Evenson, J. Denner, and G. Larson
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Abstract
We advance an approach to use satellite passive microwave observations to track valley glacier snowmelt and predict timing of spring snowmelt-induced floods at the terminus. Using 37 V GHz brightness temperatures (Tb) from the Special Sensor Microwave hnager (SSM/I), we monitor snowmelt onset when both Tb and the difference between the ascending and descending overpasses exceed fixed thresholds established for Matanuska Glacier. Melt is confirmed by ground-measured air temperature and snow-wetness, while glacier hydrologic responses are monitored by a stream gauge, suspended-sediment sensors and terminus ice velocity measurements. Accumulation area snowmelt timing is correlated (R2 = 0.61) to timing of the annual snowmelt flood peak and can be predicted within ??5 days. Copyright 2008 by the American Geophysical Union.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Passive microwave (SSM/I) satellite predictions of valley glacier hydrology, Matanuska Glacier, Alaska |
| Series title | Geophysical Research Letters |
| DOI | 10.1029/2008GL034615 |
| Volume | 35 |
| Issue | 16 |
| Year Published | 2008 |
| Language | English |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Geophysical Research Letters |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |