detection of supraglacial lakes and timing of drainage

description

Supraglacial lakes are a significant source of water that has the potential to reach the glacier bed, dramatically increasing glacier velocities, which in turn can impact glacier stability, local ecosystems, and global sea levels. For this project, you will use optical and radar satellite imagery to detect supraglacial lakes in an area to be discussed. The goal is to to determine if and when they drain, and given the availability of digital elevation models in the selected study area, estimate lake volumes through time.

Suitable for a student with interest in satellite remote sensing/GIS, glaciology, or even some computer programming (Python/Matlab or similar).

example references

Hoffman, M. J., G. A. Catania, T. A. Neumann, L. C. Andrews, and J. A. Rumrill (2011), Links between acceleration, melting, and supraglacial lake drainage of the western Greenland Ice Sheet. Journal of Geophysical Research, 116, F04035. doi: 10.1029/2010JF001934

Wendleder, A., Friedl, P., & Mayer, C. (2018). Impacts of climate and supraglacial lakes on the surface velocity of Baltoro Glacier from 1992 to 2017. Remote Sensing, 10(11), 1681. doi: 10.3390/rs10111681