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.