Improving a digital elevation model of Antarctica using radar remote sensing data and GIS techniques¹

Elevation changes in Pine Island Glacier, Walgreen Coast, Antarctica, based on GLAS (2003) and ERS‐1 (1995) altimeter data analyses and glaciological implications

“…Comparison with a RADARSAT map (Jezek et al 1999) and the USGS Satellite Image Map of Antarctica (Ferrigno et al 1996) reveals that the ICESat map, while still problematic in some coastal areas (there are artefacts along the northern coast and on Thurston Island), is surprisingly correct. Martin Peninsula with Cape Herlacher (73u529 S/ 114u129 W), the point that formally marks the boundary between Bakutis Coast and Walgreen Coast (at the left edge of this map) is captured.…”

Glacier acceleration and thinning after ice shelf collapse in the Larsen B embayment, Antarctica

“…All profiles looking up‐glacier. Mean along‐flow slopes of the lower 10 km of the glaciers were determined from Jezek et al [1999], and used to adjust the net elevation changes.…”

Polar Coasts

“…The largest streams in Antarctica occur in ice-free oases of East Antarctica, in the Vestfold Hills (the Talg and Tierney streams) (Qingsong and Peterson, 1984) and in Wright Valley, Victoria Land (the Alph and Onyx streams), all of which can have flow rates in excess of 2 � 10 6 m 3 yr −1 and are fed entirely by glacier melt in the 8 weeks of summer. The importance of Antarctic ice shelves in stabilizing outlet glaciers from the WAIS and impli cations for global sea level have focused attention on this issue, including ongoing efforts to refine the coastline using satellite altimetry data (Hamilton and Spikes, 2004) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery (Liu and Jezek, 2004) and to build robust digital elevation models (Jezek et al, 1999). Most of the present meltwater activity is related to snowmelt, particularly in areas such as the South Shetland Islands where channel networks and depositional fans occur (Birnie and Gordon, 1980).…”