Remote Sensing of Glaciers and Glacier Change in the American West

Project ID: G16AC00114

Federal Agency: U.S. Geological Survey

Partner Institution: Portland State University

Fiscal Year: 2016

Initial Funding: $70,100

Total Funding: $101,100

Project Type: Research

Project Disciplines: Biological

Principal Investigator: Fountain, Andrew

Agreement Technical Representative: Fagre, Daniel

Abstract: The primary objective is the calculation of volume change for as many glaciers as can image. To assess volume change remotely requires high resolution (~0.5m) stereo satellite imagery from WorldView from which digital elevation models (DEMs) are constructed using NASA‐Ames Stereo Pipeline software. These updated topographic surfaces will be subtracted from historic topographic surfaces available from the US Geological Survey NED DEMs. Uncertainty in elevation differences is assessed by comparing differences in elevation of adjacent bedrock exposures where presumably no elevation change occurs. The second objective is to compile the area change data gathered to date and publish them in a series of journal articles, some of which is underway; and Finally, will inventory the current extent of glaciers and calculate area change of the glaciers in the Sierra Nevada.