Observing glacier elevation changes from spaceborne optical and radar sensors - an inter-comparison experiment using ASTER and TanDEM-X data

Piermattei L, Zemp M, Sommer C, Brun F, Braun M, Andreassen LM, Belart JM, Berthier E, Bhattacharya A, Boehm Vock L, Bolch T, Dehecq A, Dussaillant I, Falaschi D, Florentine C, Floricioiu D, Ginzler C, Guillet G, Hugonnet R, Huss M, Kääb A, King O, Klug C, Knuth F, Krieger L, La Frenierre J, Mcnabb R, Mcneil C, Prinz R, Sass L, Seehaus T, Shean D, Treichler D, Wendt A, Yang R (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Book Volume: 18

Pages Range: 3195-3230

Journal Issue: 7

DOI: 10.5194/tc-18-3195-2024

Abstract

Observations of glacier mass changes are key to understanding the response of glaciers to climate change and related impacts, such as regional runoff, ecosystem changes, and global sea level rise. Spaceborne optical and radar sensors make it possible to quantify glacier elevation changes, and thus multi-annual mass changes, on a regional and global scale. However, estimates from a growing number of studies show a wide range of results with differences often beyond uncertainty bounds. Here, we present the outcome of a community-based inter-comparison experiment using spaceborne optical stereo (ASTER) and synthetic aperture radar interferometry (TanDEM-X) data to estimate elevation changes for defined glaciers and target periods that pose different assessment challenges. Using provided or self-processed digital elevation models (DEMs) for five test sites, 12 research groups provided a total of 97 spaceborne elevation-change datasets using various processing approaches. Validation with airborne data showed that using an ensemble estimate is promising to reduce random errors from different instruments and processing methods but still requires a more comprehensive investigation and correction of systematic errors. We found that scene selection, DEM processing, and co-registration have the biggest impact on the results. Other processing steps, such as treating spatial data voids, differences in survey periods, or radar penetration, can still be important for individual cases. Future research should focus on testing different implementations of individual processing steps (e.g. co-registration) and addressing issues related to temporal corrections, radar penetration, glacier area changes, and density conversion. Finally, there is a clear need for our community to develop best practices, use open, reproducible software, and assess overall uncertainty to enhance inter-comparison and empower physical process insights across glacier elevation-change studies.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

University of Grenoble Alpes (UGA) / Université de Grenoble France (FR) National Land Survey of Iceland / Landmælingar Íslands Iceland (IS) University of St Andrews United Kingdom (GB) Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck / University of Innsbruck Austria (AT) United States Geological Survey (USGS) United States (USA) (US) JIS University India (IN) Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées France (FR) University of Oslo Norway (NO) Technische Universität Graz Austria (AT) Eidgenössische Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft (WSL) Switzerland (CH) Newcastle University United Kingdom (GB) Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) / German Aerospace Center Germany (DE) University of Zurich / Universität Zürich (UZH) Switzerland (CH) St. Olaf College United States (USA) (US) University of Ulster United Kingdom (GB) Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften Germany (DE) Gustavus Adolphus College United States (USA) (US) University of Washington United States (USA) (US) Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate / Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (NVE) Norway (NO)

How to cite

APA:

Piermattei, L., Zemp, M., Sommer, C., Brun, F., Braun, M., Andreassen, L.M.,... Yang, R. (2024). Observing glacier elevation changes from spaceborne optical and radar sensors - an inter-comparison experiment using ASTER and TanDEM-X data. Cryosphere, 18(7), 3195-3230. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-3195-2024

MLA:

Piermattei, Livia, et al. "Observing glacier elevation changes from spaceborne optical and radar sensors - an inter-comparison experiment using ASTER and TanDEM-X data." Cryosphere 18.7 (2024): 3195-3230.

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