Abstract
We investigate the utility of object‐oriented data modeling and analysis of the topography for alpine glacier mapping at Nanga Parbat, in northern Pakistan. Results indicate that first‐ and second‐order morphometric parameters can be used to study glacier features and delineate debris‐covered glaciers. Object‐oriented data modeling using a two‐level hierarchy was found to be successful for delineating the Raikot Glacier, although a three‐level hierarchy is required for more detailed glacier mapping. These findings are of special importance to the Global Land Ice Measurements from Space (GLIMS) project, which will use satellite imagery to assess and map the Earth's glaciers. Furthermore, hierarchical modeling of the topography may serve to provide a foundation upon which scientists may learn more about the polygenetic nature of topographic evolution.
Notes
Corresponding author; email: [email protected]. This work was funded by the University Committee on Research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the United States National Science Foundation (Grant No. EAR 9418839 and EPS‐9720643). UK would like to thank the Max Kade Foundation in New York for post‐doc funding. The paper was completed in September 2002 and went to press early the following month.