Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Glacier-DEM product derived from the Chinese stereo mapping satellites

Abstract

Abstract. The Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is an important basic data for glacier research on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. With the rapid development of China 's stereo mapping satellite, it is possible to obtain high-precision DEM in the glacier area of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In this study, the stereo images and laser altimetry data of ZY-3 and GF-7 satellites were comprehensively used, and the matching and joint adjustment methods of laser elevation control points and stereo images were proposed. A high-precision DEM product in glacier area was established, and the elevation accuracy of DEM was verified by using UAV data and ICESat-2 data. The results show that the accuracy of GF-7 DEM is better than 1.5 m when the slope is less than 6 degrees, and the overall accuracy is better than 2.8 m. The accuracy of ZY-3 DEM is better than 3.5 m when the slope is less than 6 degrees, and the overall accuracy is better than 5.0 m. Compared with the open source DEM with medium spatial resolution, the DEM elevation accuracy based on domestic stereo mapping satellite images is better, and the grid is finer and more detailed to describe the texture characteristics of the end of the glaciers. Compared with the high spatial resolution data set HMA DEM, the ZY-3 DEM is slightly worse and the GF-7 DEM is better, and both the ZY-3 DEM and GF-7 DEM are better than the HMA DEM in terms of coverage integrity in the Qinghai- Tibet Plateau. Chinese stereo mapping satellites can generate high-precision DEM in the glacier area, and can provide more accurate and reliable terrain reference data than the existing open free data for the study of glaciers in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.