Helicopter-based Airborne Laser Scanning for Quantifying Volumetric Change of a Glacier: Wolverine Glacier, Alaska
Abstract
Small mountain glaciers in high-relief areas pose unique challenges to traditional airborne LiDAR data acquisition for the quantification of volumetric change over time. This is due to high vertical variations over short horizontal distances, making flight-line planning and execution a challenge. While high-cost (+$1.5 million) airborne laser scanners exist that are capable of collecting data from high above-ground-level altitudes, the cost to purchase and operate these sensors is limiting. In this paper, we describe the development of a relatively inexpensive airborne laser scanning (ALS) system designed for terrain-following data acquisition of small mountain glaciers. Through integration of a compact LiDAR scanner, IMU, and GPS in a helicopter-mounted, removable, external cargo pod, and an efficient installation and calibration process, it is possible to collect high quality, multi-temporal data of glacier surfaces at a significantly reduced cost when compared to traditional high-altitude LiDAR surveys. In collaboration with a USGS-led comprehensive study of the Wolverine Glacier basin in south-central Alaska, we conducted ALS surveys at the beginning and end of the 2016 melt season. With these data, we quantify both surface height and volumetric change, contributing to the estimation of glacier mass balance.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016AGUFM.C41C0691L
- Keywords:
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- 0720 Glaciers;
- CRYOSPHEREDE: 0738 Ice;
- CRYOSPHEREDE: 0758 Remote sensing;
- CRYOSPHEREDE: 0762 Mass balance 0764 Energy balance;
- CRYOSPHERE