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Ice volume changes of Icelandic ice caps in the last 75 years – a view from the air

Objective

The ICEVOLUME project aims to quantify the ice volume changes of Icelandic ice caps from the 1930s to the present through time series of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). The DEMs will be produced by stereophotogrammetry on historical oblique and vertical aerial photographs. We already have access to a unique collection of aerial photographs and the new LiDAR DEMs from 2008-2012 that provide us with the necessary raw data for DEM production. Difference DEMs (dDEMs) will be produced in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and analyzed together with orthophotographs that visually shows the glacier changes. We aim to interpret the causes of the detected ice cap changes by co-analyzing existing meteorological data, glacier surge records, ice-marginal measurements, and other datasets. The proposed project will deliver a 3D view of Icelandic ice cap volume changes through the last c. 75 years. This will significantly advance our current understanding which is mainly based on ice-marginal measurements and point measurements of ablation and accumulation. The value of similar historical aerial photographs for quantifying ice volume changes over the last 80 years has recently been highlighted by the host institution in Nature Geoscience in a study of SE-Greenlandic glaciers. The host institution is the Palaeoenvironment and Climate group at the Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark. The host provides excellent facilities for the proposed photogrammetry and remote sensing work, and has an excellent publication record in this field. The best facilities and expertise required for this project are in place and provide the optimal chance of achieving the goals.

Call for proposal

FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF
See other projects for this call

Coordinator

KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET
EU contribution
€ 230 809,80
Address
NORREGADE 10
1165 Kobenhavn
Denmark

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Region
Danmark Hovedstaden Byen København
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Administrative Contact
Ivan Kristoffersen (Mr.)
Links
Total cost
No data