Geodetic Glacier Mass Balances in the Pacific Northwest
Project ID: G15AC00529
Federal Agency: U.S. Geological Survey
Partner Institution: University of Washington
Fiscal Year: 2015
Initial Funding: $20,005
Total Funding: $20,005
Project Type: Technical Assistance
Project Disciplines: Biological
Principal Investigator: Joughin, Ian
Agreement Technical Representative: Bachmann, Matt
Abstract: The objective of this project is to integrate observations from multiple image acquisition platforms into a coherent time series of glacier volume changes for a variety of sites in the Pacific Northwest, including South Cascade Glacier and the others in Washington State (e.g., Mt. Olympus, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker). Specific objectives include:
• Enhancing glacier mass balance methodology by incorporating newly derived and reanalyzed geodetic records in the form of Digital Elevation Models and associated Area Altitude Distributions.
• Estimating regional patterns of glacier mass balance by expanding the spatial density of mass balance measurements and the geographic diversity of monitored glaciers.
• Understanding hydrologic impacts of climate change in glacierized basins by more accurately assessing the rate and type of seasonal glacier melt.