Potential use of satellite IR data for ice thickness mapping

An approach to automated mapping of the thickness and movement of Arctic ice by means of statistical examination of NOAA VHRR satellite IR data is discussed. Data are examined so that it is now possible to outline the basic steps for implementing an algorithm to automate ice mapping. Five passes made by NOAA-2 and NOAA-3 satellites were used for the analysis. These passes provided radiant temperature data of the Beaufort Sea ice during January, February, March, April, and May 1974. Examination of the shapes of the temperature distribution histograms derived from the data suggested differences that could be delineated by simple statistical techniques.