Observing Seasonal Velocity Changes of Svalbard Glaciers using Differential Sar Interferometry (Dinsar) Technique

Abstract

The Svalbard glacier ice velocities are mapped and studied the seasonal velocity changes using the 2020 year Sentinel 1A/1B C-band high temporal resolution data (6-days) with the Differential SAR Interferometry (DInSAR) technique. Melting of the glaciers makes it infeasible to measure the velocities of summer seasons using the interferometry technique. So we observed the seasonal velocity changes for the January/February (peak winter) and October months (i.e. post-ablation seasons). Although a few glaciers are moving fast in early winter, most of the glaciers are moving fast in late winter. Seasonal variations in water pressure engender changes in the ice velocity. Since the two pairs are separated for nearly eight months in the winter season, the longitudinal stress gradients could be the reasons for seasonal velocity changes.