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Environmental Earth Sciences

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01-08-2015 | Original Article

Glacier volume estimation from ice-thickness data, applied to the Muz Taw glacier, Sawir Mountains, China

Authors: Huai Baojuan, Li Zhongqin, Wang Feiteng, Wang Wenbin, Wang Puyu, Li Kaiming

Published in: Environmental Earth Sciences | Issue 3/2015

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Abstract

In this work, ground penetrating radar (GPR) data, global position system (GPS) data, Landsat remote sensing images and digital elevation model (DEM) SRTM were used to study the Muz Taw glacier in the Sawir Mountains. By a variety of interpolation methods, spatial pattern of thickness of the Muz Taw glacier was obtained. The results show that there are obvious differences between the available GPR transverse profiles. The lower transverse profile has typical “U”-type topographic feature, the maximum glacier thickness is up to 116.4 m; glacier thickness distribution in the higher profile is relatively flat, with an average about 70–90 m. The longitudinal profile forms a ladder-like distribution, which in the middle of the ice bedrock topography has obvious depression. The average longitudinal ice thickness is about 80.89 m; the maximum ice thickness is up to 122.61 m. In addition, the preliminary estimation of the average thickness and total terminus ice volume were approximately 60.5 m and 0.195 km³, respectively.

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Title: Glacier volume estimation from ice-thickness data, applied to the Muz Taw glacier, Sawir Mountains, China
Authors: Huai Baojuan
Li Zhongqin
Wang Feiteng
Wang Wenbin
Wang Puyu
Li Kaiming
Publication date: 01-08-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Environmental Earth Sciences / Issue 3/2015
Print ISSN: 1866-6280
Electronic ISSN: 1866-6299
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-4435-2

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