UAV and GPR Data Integration in Glacier Geometry Reconstruction: A Case Study from Irenebreen, Svalbard
Although measurements of thickness and internal structure of glaciers are substantial for the understanding of their evolution and response to climate change, detailed data about polythermal glaciers, are scarce. Here, we present the first ground-penetrating radar (GPR) measurement data of Irenebreen, and high-resolution DEM and orthomosaic, obtained from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry. A combination of GPR and UAV data allowed for the reconstruction of the glacier geometry including thermal structure. We compare different methods of GPR signal propagation speed determination and argue that a common midpoint method (CMP) should be used if possible. Our observations reveal that…
APPLICATION OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES FOR GLACIER RESEARCH IN THE ARCTIC AND ANTARCTIC
Unmanned aerial vehicles or drones are nowadays widely used in a broad field of scientific and commercial applications. Despite this, it is quite a new method for glacier mapping in polar regions and has a lot of advantages, as well as disadvantages over more classical remote sensing instruments. Here we examine the main issues associated with the application of drones for glacier research from our experience in Iceland, Greenland and the Antarctic. We use DJI Phantom series drones for the obtaining of aerial photographs and produce digital surface models (resolution of 8 – 16 cm) and orthomosaics (resolution of 2 – 4 cm) for glacier mapping. Several issues related to the ground control poi…
Subglacial topography and thickness of ice caps on the Argentine Islands
AbstractThis study presents the first subglacial topography and ice thickness models of the largest ice caps of the Argentine Islands, Wilhelm Archipelago, West Antarctica. During this study, ground-penetrating radar was used to map the thickness and inner structure of the ice caps. Digital surface models of all studied islands were created from aerial images obtained with a small-sized unmanned aerial vehicle and used for the construction of subglacial topography models. Ice caps of the Argentine Islands cover ~50% of the land surface of the islands on average. The maximum thickness of only two islands (Galindez and Skua) exceeds 30 m, while the average thickness of all islands is only ~5 …
Does glacial environment produce glacial mineral grains? Pro- and supra-glacial Icelandic sediments in microtextural study
Abstract Mineral grains from proglacial and supraglacial sedimentary settings in central south-eastern Iceland are considered in this study and analysed with the use of scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. By applying this, it is attempted to answer the key research question of whether quartz grains that come from a glacial-related sedimentary environment are indeed of glacial origin. The study also attempts to provide a linkage between microtextures produced on coarser and finer grains and to verify whether mineral grains from adjacent cryconite holes are similar or different. The preliminary assumption was that the more intense glacial grain record was based on several glacial a…
High-resolution orthophoto map and digital surface models of the largest Argentine Islands (the Antarctic) from unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry
This study presents the first high-resolution orthophoto maps and digital surface models (DSMs) of the largest Argentine Islands, West Antarctica. Aerial surveys with small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) were performed in Austral summer, 2018, taking 10,041 aerial photographs. Accuracy requirements were ensured using ground control points (GCPs). A resolution of 3.4 and 6.8 cm/px of orthomosaics and DSMs is reached on average, and the RMS reprojection error is 0.22 m on average. We report the morphometric parameters of surveyed islands and discuss issues related to accuracy and the usage of UAVs in polar conditions. This study demonstrates that small and low cost UAVs can be successfully use…
Ar ģeoradaru iegūto datu interpretācija, izmantojot amplitūdu kartes
Pētījuma mērķis ir analizēt ģeotehnisko problēmu risināšanas iespējas, izmantojot ar ģeoradaru iegūto datu attēlošanu amplitūdu karšu veidā. Pazemes komunikāciju lokalizēšana ir viens no svarīgākiem uzdevumiem gan celtniecībā, gan ģeoloģiskā izpētē pilsētvidē. Iepriekšējie pētījumi koncentrējās uz radiolokācijas datu interpretāciju, izmantojot datu attēlošanu radarogrammu veidā, savukārt šajā pētījumā tiek analizēta alternatīva pieeja interpretācijas veidošanā, pielietojot dziļuma amplitūdu kartes. Pētījuma rezultātā tika izveidota datorprogramma, ar kuras palīdzību ir iespējams sagatavot dziļuma intervāla amplitūdu kartes. Pētījuma tika aprakstīta metodika, pielietojot kuru ir iespējams ef…
Mapping of large-scale diapir structures at the paleo-ice tongue bed in western Latvia from geophysical investigations and borehole data
Abstract This study comprises the investigation of the complex and deformed Late Pleistocene sedimentary sequence in western Latvia composed of sandy sediments that are protruded by large-scale clayey silt diapirs and covered by glaciotectonically disturbed discontinuous patches of the Late Weichselian till. We use detailed measurements by ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) combined with borehole data and sedimentological investigations at the Baltic Sea cliffs to map and characterize the large-scale deformation structures and discontinuous till patches. We distinguish the intriguing and previously not detected characteristics of the spatial distribut…
The thermal structure, subglacial topography and surface structures of the NE outlet of Eyjabakkajökull, east Iceland
Abstract This study presents the detailed surveys of the NE outlet of Eyjabakkajokull glacier, East Iceland, from the combination of low-frequency ground penetrating radar (GPR), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and GNSS measurements. Data analyses reveal the complex subglacial topography with a prominent, up to 45-m-deep longitudinal trough in the central part of the outlet that serves as the main trunk for the fast ice flow during the glacier surges. During the last decade (2010–2018), the studied part of the glacier has thinned by 4.37 m/yr on average and the ice margin has retreated ~750 m. We detect a boundary between scatter-free zone and zone of intense scattering near the ice margin an…
Fotogrammetrijas metode mikrofosīliju 3D modeļu izveidei
Ješkins J. 2019. Fotogrammetrijas metode mikrofosīliju 3D modeļu izveidei. Maģistra darbs. Pētījuma mērķis ir izstrādāt mikrofosīliju 3D rekonstrukcijas metodi, izmantojot fotogrammetrijas principu. Autors piedāvā inovatīvu 3D modeļu izveides metodi, pielietojot attēlu iegūšanu ar optiskās mikroskopijas palīdzību un attēlu fotogrammetrisko apstrādi. Izstrādātā metode ir aprobēta uz dažāda vecuma, izmēra, minerālā un ķīmiskā sastāva mikrofosīlijām, un tiek rekomendēta kā alternatīva esošajām metodēm. Izstrādāta metode var tikt pielietota zinātniskiem nolūkiem pētnieku komandās, kurām nav pieejamas citas, komplicētas un dārgas metodes 3D rekonstrukciju veikšanai. Pētījuma diskusijā autors pie…
HIGH-RESOLUTION SURFACE AND BED TOPOGRAPHY MAPPING OF RUSSELL GLACIER (SW GREENLAND) USING UAV AND GPR
Abstract. This study presents the detailed survey of the northern marginal part of Russell Glacier, SW Greenland using the combination of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry and low-frequency ground penetrating radar (GPR) measurements. Obtained digital elevation model (DEM) and ice thickness data from GPR data allowed the generation of high precision subglacial topography model. We report uncertainties arising from GPR, GPS, and DEM suggesting sufficient accuracy for the reconstruction of glacier bed topography. GPR data and generated subglacial topography model does not reveal any possible Nye channel that could be incised into the bedrock, however, we were able to detect englaci…
High-resolution orthophoto map and digital surface models of the largest Argentine Islands (the Antarctic) from unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry
This study presents the first high-resolution orthophoto maps and digital surface models (DSMs) of the largest Argentine Islands, West Antarctica. Aerial surveys with small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) were performed in Austral summer, 2018, taking 10,041 aerial photographs. Accuracy requirements were ensured using ground control points (GCPs). A resolution of 3.4 and 6.8 cm/px of orthomosaics and DSMs is reached on average, and the RMS reprojection error is 0.22 m on average. We report the morphometric parameters of surveyed islands and discuss issues related to accuracy and the usage of UAVs in polar conditions. This study demonstrates that small and low cost UAVs can be successfully use…