Analysis of elevation changes in relation to surface characteristics for six glaciers in Northern Labrador, Canada using advanced space-borne thermal emission and reflection radiometer imagery

Abstract

Advanced space-borne thermal emission and reflection radiometer imagery and Digital Elevation Models were used to analyse surface elevation changes of six glaciers in Northern Labrador. Results indicate an average surface thinning of0.94 ± 0.49 m y⁻¹ (water equivalent) between 2000 and 2009. Three glaciers had an average elevation change of −1.16 ± 0.55 m y⁻¹ (water equivalent) whichis three times the thinning rate found in a study from 1981 to 1983 −0.36 ± 0.10 m y⁻¹ water equivalent). Analysis of surface characteristics in relation to elevation changes shows expected results of rapid thinning in bare ice areas and near zero change in accumulation areas. Debris covered areas of three glaciers show expected results of moderate thinning, but three other glaciers indicate high rates of thinning. Variability in thinning rates suggests possible influences in the type ofdebris and/or variations in climate such as increased rainfall.

Keywords:

• remote sensing
• Labrador
• glaciers

Acknowledgements

This research was possible due to NASA Grant NNX09AQ81G supporting the Department of Earth System Science and Policy in the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at the University of North Dakota. Access to the ASTER data was granted by NASA's Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC). The author also would like to thank two anonymous reviewers, as well as the Managing Editor, Brad Rundquist, who provided helpful comments and suggestions which improved the manuscript.