Determination of Changes in Volume and Elevation of Glaciers using Digital Elevation Models for the Vernagtferner, Ôtztal Alps, Austria

Abstract

The paper deals with the determination of changes in volume and elevation of glaciers, using Digital Elevation Models (DEM). First, the generation of a DEM is briefly described and the method of determining changes in volume and elevation by using DEMs is introduced, A brief description of the determination of these changes by means of contour plots follows. A comparison of both methods with respect to accuracy and economy is carried out on part of the Vernagtferner. The results from these investigations show that a required accuracy level can be obtained more economically by using DEMs. The changes in volume and elevation for the whole glacier area are determined by means of DEMs, for 1979 and 1982. The paper concludes with comments on the results and a review of other applications of DEMs.