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Satellite Remote Sensing of Glaciers and Ice Sheets

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Glaciers and Ice Sheets in the Climate System

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Abstract

This chapter describes key satellite remote-sensing techniques for monitoring the cryosphere, specifically those using passive optical sensors (e.g., the Landsat imaging sensors), active microwave sensors (e.g., synthetic aperture radars) and radar and laser altimeters to observe the surface properties, mass balance and dynamics of glaciers and ice sheets. The treatment covers the principles behind individual techniques, the associated data processing, and glaciological application of their datasets. Different approaches to measuring the surface topography and surface flow velocity of ice masses are described.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Orthorectification is the procedure of correcting image distortions (shift of pixels) resulting from sensor tilt and/or terrain elevation. It yields a planimetric image with a constant scale in the chosen map projection.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Atmospheric and Cryospheric Sciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria

    Helmut Rott

  2. ENVEO IT GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria

    Helmut Rott

  3. Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Frank Paul

Authors
  1. Helmut Rott
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  2. Frank Paul
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Correspondence to Helmut Rott .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. MACSI, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

    Andrew Fowler

  2. Department of Geography, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

    Felix Ng

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Rott, H., Paul, F. (2021). Satellite Remote Sensing of Glaciers and Ice Sheets. In: Fowler, A., Ng, F. (eds) Glaciers and Ice Sheets in the Climate System. Springer Textbooks in Earth Sciences, Geography and Environment. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42584-5_13

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