A time series of SAR data for monitoring changes in boundaries of glacier zones on the Antarctic Peninsula

Authors: Arigony-Neto, Jorge; Rau, Frank; Saurer, Helmut; Jaña, Ricardo; Simöes, Jefferson Cardia; Vogt, Steffen

Source: Annals of Glaciology, Volume 46, Number 1, October 2007 , pp. 55-60(6)

Publisher: International Glaciological Society

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Abstract:

Drastic changes have been detected in glacial systems of the Antarctic Peninsula in the last few decades and are well documented in numerous scientific publications. However, the spatial and temporal distribution of glacier changes on the Antarctic Peninsula remains largely restricted to ice fronts. To expand the current monitoring of a few glaciers, unevenly distributed along the peninsula, to a representative set, we developed a method to simplify the detection of boundaries between glacier zones using satellite SAR data. The evolution of glacier zones is greatly influenced by local and regional climatic and meteorological settings. Their variations in response to changes in energy or mass balance are considered as good indicators of climatic changes. In this paper, we describe the results of knowledge-based image analysis algorithms on test areas located at Trinity Peninsula and near Marguerite Bay. In general, the two analyzed areas show different patterns of glacier zone development. The bare-ice zone occurs mainly on glaciers located on the eastern side of Trinity Peninsula. Its upper boundary shows a good correlation with the mean summer air temperature. Finally, the position of the dry-snow line shows different spatial patterns of change in both study areas.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756407782871387

Publication date: 2007-10-01

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The Annals of Glaciology is a peer-reviewed, thematic journal published 2 to 4 times a year by the International Glaciological Society (IGS). Publication frequency is determined and volume/issue numbers assigned by the IGS Council on a year-to-year basis and with a lead time of 3 to 4 years. The Annals of Glaciology is included in the ISI Science Citation Index from volume 50, number 50 onwards.
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A time series of SAR data for monitoring changes in boundaries of glacier zones on the Antarctic Peninsula

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