Objective To produce a high resolution, orthometric elevation model ofFilchner-Ronne Schelfeis, Antarctica, accurate to within 50cm byusing satellite radar altimeter measurements acquired during 1992and 1993 by the European Space Agency's ERS-1 mission.Radar altimeter data from the ERS-1 35 day repeat mission will beingested and expertly analysed to produce an optimisedellipsoidal data set. This analysis will seek to account for thedegree of penetration of the ice by the radio waves byimplementing new methods of analysing and interpreting thealtimeter return echoes.To progress to a surface elevationmodel, precision analyses of the satellite orbit, of the tidalmotion beneath the shelf, and of radio wave propagation delay inthe troposphere and ionosphere will be carried out. Methods ofinterpolation best suited to the data spacing will beinvestigated. To produce a final data set referenced to thegeodetic frame, a precision model of the local geoid will beconstructed.The project output will be available as acartographic contour map published as part of the IfAGFilchner-Ronne Schelfeis series and as a digital elevationdataset. This high precision elevation map will become abaseline for workers studying the important climatic linkbetween ocean and cryosphere which takes place at the base of theice shelf, and fluctuations in the position of the ice shelfgrounding line which may provide indicators of the state ofbalance of the West Antarctic marine ice sheet.It is essential for the wider community to be confident inaccepting the accuracy of the elevation model. An importantactivity deals with the verification of the elevations from GPSsurveys carried out in 1991 and 1992, other ground survey dataand independent remote sensing measurements. The analysis willbe carried out between May 1994 and April 1996. The cartographicmap will be published around October 1996.The data will provide a validated baseline for climate-relatedchange measurements of the ice shelf and the surrounding regionby future satellite missions. Fields of science engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technologyengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringremote sensingengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsradio technologyradarnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesphysical geographyglaciologynatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesmeteorologytroposphere Programme(s) FP3-ENV 1C - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of the environment, 1990-1994 Topic(s) 0102 - Anthropogenic climate change Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator University College London Address Holmbury st mary RH5 6NT Dorking United Kingdom See on map EU contribution € 0,00 Participants (4) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all ALFRED WEGENER INSTITUTE FOR POLAR AND MARINE RESEARCH Germany EU contribution € 0,00 Address Columbusstrasse 27568 Bremerhaven See on map Links Website Opens in new window DELFT UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Netherlands EU contribution € 0,00 Address 1,kluyverweg 1 2600 GB Delft See on map Institut für Angewandte Geodäsie Germany EU contribution € 0,00 Address Richard-strauss-allee 11 60598 Frankfurt am main See on map NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL United Kingdom EU contribution € 0,00 Address Madingley road, high cross CB3 0ET Cambridge See on map
