Investigating long-term behavior of Greenland outlet glaciers using high resolution satellite imagery

Abstract

High resolution declassified Corona satellite photographs from the 1960s are used to establish baseline velocities for a fast flowing outlet glacier in Greenland. The mathematical model of the camera was developed and position and attitude parameters were estimated using GCPs. To illustrate the procedure, ice velocities were derived from Corona and Landsat-7 images over the Kangerdlugssuaq glacier in SE Greenland. Time series of velocity changes indicate significant increase in ice flow velocity during the last decade, propagating upstream from the calving front.