D-BAUG - Departement Bau, Umwelt und Geomatik - ETH Zürich

Key Article ▪ Juneau Icefield Research Program
trend can also be observed in the GPS surveys from 2001 to
2009 (Fig. 4, right), which provide point and line data for
the determination of ablation, flow rate and analysis of
glacier deformation. In order to conduct a holistic evaluation
of mass balance, information on precipitation, topography,
meteorology, as well as runoff and inflow over the
whole glacial area have to be considered.
Nowadays also terrestrial and remote sensing methodology
can be used for the survey of glacier surfaces. CryoSat-
2 is a satellite which has been built for the precise determination
of elevation-changes in areas covered by snow
and ice. This satellite mission is expected to start soon
(www.cryosat.de). To help this mission, a preparation of
the available survey data is necessary. At the moment a database
for the consistent handling of the survey data and
additional information is being built and filled. This homogeneous
system forms the basis for further research
projects. Apart from the future satellite surveys for the
exact determination of the thickness and surface position
of the ice research projects in the field of strain and stress
analysis as well as the derivation of uplift rates (momentarily
approx. 11 mm/year) are planned. For this purpose a
monitoring system which delivers data to the office 365
days a year would be helpful. Preliminary assessments for
such a project have already been conducted.
Outlook
So far the geodetic JIRP projects have been limited to surveying
profiles with RTKDGNSS. However, the existing data
represent a unique series of measurements for an analysis
of the icefield. The survey data accurately document the
annual changes of the surface and form the basis for all
further research. With the future satellite data even more
high quality data will be available, allowing for new research
perspectives. Since these data have first to be verified
via ground control points, the expedition team is still
facing new challenges.
Literature and Weblinks
Welsch,W., Lang, M., und Miller, M. M. [1997]: Geodetic Activites
Juneau Icefield, Alaska 1981-1996, Schriftenreihe der
Universität der Bundeswehr München, Heft 50.
http://www.crevassezone.org
http://www.juneauicefield.com
24 ▪ D-BAUG Annual Report 2009