The bedrock topography of Gries- and Findelengletscher

Knowledge of the ice thickness distribution of glaciers is important for glaciological and hydrological applications. In this contribution, we present two updated bedrock topographies and ice thickness distributions for Gries- and Findelengletscher, Switzerland. The results are based on ground-p...

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Main Authors: N. Feiger, M. Huss, S. Leinss, L. Sold, D. Farinotti
Format: Article
Language:deu
Published: Copernicus Publications 2018-01-01
Series:Geographica Helvetica
Online Access:https://www.geogr-helv.net/73/1/2018/gh-73-1-2018.pdf
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author N. Feiger
N. Feiger
M. Huss
M. Huss
S. Leinss
L. Sold
D. Farinotti
D. Farinotti
author_facet N. Feiger
N. Feiger
M. Huss
M. Huss
S. Leinss
L. Sold
D. Farinotti
D. Farinotti
author_sort N. Feiger
collection DOAJ
description Knowledge of the ice thickness distribution of glaciers is important for glaciological and hydrological applications. In this contribution, we present two updated bedrock topographies and ice thickness distributions for Gries- and Findelengletscher, Switzerland. The results are based on ground-penetrating radar (GPR) measurements collected in spring 2015 and already-existing data. The GPR data are analysed using ReflexW software and interpolated by using the ice thickness estimation method (ITEM). ITEM calculates the thickness distribution by using principles of ice flow dynamics and characteristics of the glacier surface. We show that using such a technique has a significance advantage compared to a direct interpolation of the measurements, especially for glacier areas that are sparsely covered by GPR data. The uncertainties deriving from both the interpretation of the GPR signal and the spatial interpolation through ITEM are quantified separately, showing that, in our case, GPR signal interpretation is a major source of uncertainty. The results show a total glacier volume of 0.28&thinsp;±&thinsp;0.06 and 1.00&thinsp;±&thinsp;0.34 km<sup>3</sup> for Gries- and Findelengletscher, respectively, with corresponding average ice thicknesses of 56.8&thinsp;±&thinsp;12.7 and 56.3&thinsp;±&thinsp;19.6 m.
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spelling doaj.art-c340ac127bfa440c96f2f6e47d9c96e12022-12-22T02:01:26ZdeuCopernicus PublicationsGeographica Helvetica0016-73122194-87982018-01-01731910.5194/gh-73-1-2018The bedrock topography of Gries- and FindelengletscherN. Feiger0N. Feiger1M. Huss2M. Huss3S. Leinss4L. Sold5D. Farinotti6D. Farinotti7Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Birmensdorf, SwitzerlandDepartment of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, SwitzerlandLaboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology (VAW), ETH Zurich, Zurich, SwitzerlandDepartment of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, SwitzerlandInstitute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, SwitzerlandDepartment of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, SwitzerlandSwiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Birmensdorf, SwitzerlandLaboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology (VAW), ETH Zurich, Zurich, SwitzerlandKnowledge of the ice thickness distribution of glaciers is important for glaciological and hydrological applications. In this contribution, we present two updated bedrock topographies and ice thickness distributions for Gries- and Findelengletscher, Switzerland. The results are based on ground-penetrating radar (GPR) measurements collected in spring 2015 and already-existing data. The GPR data are analysed using ReflexW software and interpolated by using the ice thickness estimation method (ITEM). ITEM calculates the thickness distribution by using principles of ice flow dynamics and characteristics of the glacier surface. We show that using such a technique has a significance advantage compared to a direct interpolation of the measurements, especially for glacier areas that are sparsely covered by GPR data. The uncertainties deriving from both the interpretation of the GPR signal and the spatial interpolation through ITEM are quantified separately, showing that, in our case, GPR signal interpretation is a major source of uncertainty. The results show a total glacier volume of 0.28&thinsp;±&thinsp;0.06 and 1.00&thinsp;±&thinsp;0.34 km<sup>3</sup> for Gries- and Findelengletscher, respectively, with corresponding average ice thicknesses of 56.8&thinsp;±&thinsp;12.7 and 56.3&thinsp;±&thinsp;19.6 m.https://www.geogr-helv.net/73/1/2018/gh-73-1-2018.pdf
spellingShingle N. Feiger
N. Feiger
M. Huss
M. Huss
S. Leinss
L. Sold
D. Farinotti
D. Farinotti
The bedrock topography of Gries- and Findelengletscher
Geographica Helvetica
title The bedrock topography of Gries- and Findelengletscher
title_full The bedrock topography of Gries- and Findelengletscher
title_fullStr The bedrock topography of Gries- and Findelengletscher
title_full_unstemmed The bedrock topography of Gries- and Findelengletscher
title_short The bedrock topography of Gries- and Findelengletscher
title_sort bedrock topography of gries and findelengletscher
url https://www.geogr-helv.net/73/1/2018/gh-73-1-2018.pdf
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