Annual Report 2006 - Ev-K2-CNR

ar2006 19-09-2007 10:36 Pagina 19
GLACIOLOGICAL MONITORING
Principal investigator: Prof. Giorgio Vassena – University of
Brescia
The main topic of the research is continual monitoring of the
deformations of the Himalayan glaciers located near the
Pyramid Laboratory, using GPS, remote sensing and terrestrial
laser scanning surveying. In 2006, field activities were carried
out on Lobuche glacier close to the Pyramid Laboratory.
Its steep front of ice makes classical topographic or GPS surveying
impossible so the researchers decided to use remote
survey techniques, placing a long distance laser scanner on
the moraine in front to the glacier and collecting points to
describe the glacier shape and movements. About 43,000
points have been collected in two different acquisition sessions.
Retro reflective targets have been measured using laser
scanner and GPS static survey to translate the survey into the
same reference system of previous observations. A 3D model
of the ice mass will be made using specific mathematical
instruments. On the Khumbu glacier, special photogrammetric
applications have been carried out. A special camera
assembled on a kite structure took pictures of a small area of
the glacier (about 1 hectare). Fifteen points have also been
measured with GPS static survey. Collecting image documentation,
the researchers made also an inspection of the
Changri Nup Glacier status focusing on both on overview
and local ice front condition.
INSTALLATION OF A GPS NETWORK FOR
GEODETICAL-ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING
Principal investigator: Prof. Giorgio Poretti – University of
Trieste
The first GPS Station was installed near the Pyramid
Laboratory-Observatory in 2002. Between 2003 and 2004
the station registered data for over 6 months. This first temporary
installation allowed to obtain sufficient data to judge
the appropriateness of the site chosen in 1991, linked to the
Doris system antenna at the Pyramid and used as a reference
point for several surveys over the last 10 years.
From the analysis of the recorded data it has been decided to
relocate the station to a final destination on a nearby point
offering a better view of the sky. The data from the new
location were correlated to those collected at the present
point with a suitable session of measurements during the
month of October 2006.
Prof. Giorgio Poretti and Dr. Massimiliano Poretti carried out
an expedition to the Pyramid International Laboratory
Observatory in September 2006 in order to restore GPS permanent
station, which was in Italy for some tests, and to
transfer it to the new position.
annual report 2006