Abstract
Abstract. Glaciated areas are important targets for interdisciplinary research. In the last quarter of the 20th century, there has been a significant shift in glacier observation approaches from direct fieldwork to remote sensing. Over the past 15 years, unmanned aerial systems have been increasingly used for this purpose. In this article, we briefly describe a newly launched Russian–Chinese project aimed at developing a theory and methodology for digital modeling and analysis of the glacier microtopography using very high resolution data from unmanned aerial surveys. We argue the relevance of the study and review key publications on the application of digital terrain modeling and geomorphometry in glaciology. Next, we discuss the aim of the project and tasks performed by the Russian side, as well as materials and methods used in the study. As initial data, we use multi-temporal, digital aerial images of very high resolution (5 cm) collected by the unmanned aerial survey of the ice sheet and glaciers near the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctic. Finally, we present some examples for geomorphometric analysis of glacier microtopography including snow/ice features of eolian origin.
Highlights
One of the core political tasks of the Russian Government is to ensure the development of the Arctic territories, which are a zone of Russia's strategic interests
Glacier dynamics is an indirect indicator of regional climate changes
Glaciers are in continuous motion leading to constant changes in the geometry of glacial topography at different spatial scales
Summary
Glaciated areas are important targets for interdisciplinary research. This is due to a number of political, economic, and scientific factors. Glaciated areas have a significant impact on climate change at the global and regional scales. Glaciers are in continuous motion leading to constant changes in the geometry of glacial topography at different spatial scales (from macro- to microtopography). Such changes can be both slow and catastrophic. Some natural processes in glaciers and ice sheets (e.g., outbursts of water from glacier lakes) can lead to catastrophic consequences in the adjacent valleys. In this regard, safety studies, prompt monitoring, and mathematical modeling of glaciers are important. One of the most promising approaches for studying glaciers is their mathematical modeling and simulation using digital elevation models (DEMs) of high and ultra-high resolution produced from UAS-based data
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