An integrated Structure-from-Motion and time-lapse technique for quantifying ice-margin dynamics
Fine resolution topographic data derived from methods such as Structure from Motion (SfM) and Multi-View Stereo (MVS) have the potential to provide detailed observations of geomorphological change, but have thus far been limited by the logistical constraints of conducting repeat surveys in the field...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2017-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Glaciology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S002214301700048X/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1811155871189696512 |
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| author | JOSEPH MALLALIEU JONATHAN L. CARRIVICK DUNCAN J. QUINCEY MARK W. SMITH WILLIAM H.M. JAMES |
| author_facet | JOSEPH MALLALIEU JONATHAN L. CARRIVICK DUNCAN J. QUINCEY MARK W. SMITH WILLIAM H.M. JAMES |
| author_sort | JOSEPH MALLALIEU |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Fine resolution topographic data derived from methods such as Structure from Motion (SfM) and Multi-View Stereo (MVS) have the potential to provide detailed observations of geomorphological change, but have thus far been limited by the logistical constraints of conducting repeat surveys in the field. Here, we present the results from an automated time-lapse camera array, deployed around an ice-marginal lake on the western margin of the Greenland ice sheet. Fifteen cameras acquired imagery three-times per day over a 426 day period, yielding a dataset of ~19 000 images. From these data we derived 18 point clouds of the ice-margin across a range of seasons and successfully identified calving events (ranging from 234 to 1475 m2 in area and 815–8725 m3 in volume) induced by ice cliff undercutting at the waterline and the collapse of spalling flakes. Low ambient light levels, locally reflective surfaces and the large survey range hindered analysis of smaller scale ice-margin dynamics. Nevertheless, this study demonstrates that an integrated SfM-MVS and time-lapse approach can be employed to generate long-term 3-D topographic datasets and thus quantify ice-margin dynamics at a fine spatio-temporal scale. This approach provides a template for future studies of geomorphological change. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:41:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8b6eb09c54874e3b983087aec53858f7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0022-1430 1727-5652 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:41:55Z |
| publishDate | 2017-12-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Glaciology |
| spelling | doaj.art-8b6eb09c54874e3b983087aec53858f72023-03-09T12:40:28ZengCambridge University PressJournal of Glaciology0022-14301727-56522017-12-016393794910.1017/jog.2017.48An integrated Structure-from-Motion and time-lapse technique for quantifying ice-margin dynamicsJOSEPH MALLALIEU0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1988-8594JONATHAN L. CARRIVICK1DUNCAN J. QUINCEY2MARK W. SMITH3WILLIAM H.M. JAMESSchool of Geography and University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9JT, UKSchool of Geography and University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9JT, UKSchool of Geography and University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9JT, UKSchool of Geography and University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9JT, UKFine resolution topographic data derived from methods such as Structure from Motion (SfM) and Multi-View Stereo (MVS) have the potential to provide detailed observations of geomorphological change, but have thus far been limited by the logistical constraints of conducting repeat surveys in the field. Here, we present the results from an automated time-lapse camera array, deployed around an ice-marginal lake on the western margin of the Greenland ice sheet. Fifteen cameras acquired imagery three-times per day over a 426 day period, yielding a dataset of ~19 000 images. From these data we derived 18 point clouds of the ice-margin across a range of seasons and successfully identified calving events (ranging from 234 to 1475 m2 in area and 815–8725 m3 in volume) induced by ice cliff undercutting at the waterline and the collapse of spalling flakes. Low ambient light levels, locally reflective surfaces and the large survey range hindered analysis of smaller scale ice-margin dynamics. Nevertheless, this study demonstrates that an integrated SfM-MVS and time-lapse approach can be employed to generate long-term 3-D topographic datasets and thus quantify ice-margin dynamics at a fine spatio-temporal scale. This approach provides a template for future studies of geomorphological change.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S002214301700048X/type/journal_articlecalvingglacier monitoringglaciological instruments and methodsice dynamics |
| spellingShingle | JOSEPH MALLALIEU JONATHAN L. CARRIVICK DUNCAN J. QUINCEY MARK W. SMITH WILLIAM H.M. JAMES An integrated Structure-from-Motion and time-lapse technique for quantifying ice-margin dynamics Journal of Glaciology calving glacier monitoring glaciological instruments and methods ice dynamics |
| title | An integrated Structure-from-Motion and time-lapse technique for quantifying ice-margin dynamics |
| title_full | An integrated Structure-from-Motion and time-lapse technique for quantifying ice-margin dynamics |
| title_fullStr | An integrated Structure-from-Motion and time-lapse technique for quantifying ice-margin dynamics |
| title_full_unstemmed | An integrated Structure-from-Motion and time-lapse technique for quantifying ice-margin dynamics |
| title_short | An integrated Structure-from-Motion and time-lapse technique for quantifying ice-margin dynamics |
| title_sort | integrated structure from motion and time lapse technique for quantifying ice margin dynamics |
| topic | calving glacier monitoring glaciological instruments and methods ice dynamics |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S002214301700048X/type/journal_article |
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