GNR 618 Report Climate Investigation Gulab Singh

Presented by: Presented to:
Mohit Rakh (210040100) Prof. Gulab Singh

PROJECT REPORT TITLE:
Investigating the relation between glacier velocity and climate in marine
terminating glaciers of Greenland
Final project Executive summary:

The study aims to investigate the relationship between glacier velocity and climate
in marine terminating glaciers of Greenland. The research was conducted using
satellite data from 2010 to 2022 to analyze the velocity of glaciers and compare it
with climate data, including temperature and precipitation.
The study found that there is a strong correlation between glacier velocity and
climate in marine terminating glaciers of Greenland. The research found that
warmer temperatures lead to increased glacier velocity, which in turn results in a
greater amount of ice mass loss.
The study provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between
climate and glacier behavior in Greenland, which is of significant importance due
to the potential impact of melting ice on global sea level rise. This research can be
used to improve our understanding of the dynamics of marine terminating glaciers
and to inform policy decisions regarding climate change mitigation and
adaptation.
Final project details:

1. Introduction
Glaciers are fascinating natural features that are essential to the health of our
planet. They not only provide a source of freshwater for millions of people around
the world, but they also help regulate the Earth's climate by reflecting sunlight
back into space. However, the rapid melting of glaciers due to climate change has
become a major concern for scientists and policymakers alike. This is why
monitoring glacier velocity is so important.
One technique that has proved to be particularly useful for monitoring glacier
velocity is offset tracking. This method involves analysing satellite images of a
glacier taken at different times and comparing them to identify any changes in the
glacier's position. By measuring the distance between identifiable features on the
glacier, scientists can calculate the glacier's velocity over time. This technique is
called offset tracking.
Greenland glacier
Offset tracking has several advantages over other techniques for monitoring
glacier velocity. For one, it can be used to monitor glaciers in remote areas that
are difficult to access. It is also relatively inexpensive compared to other methods,
making it an attractive option for researchers on a budget.
Despite its usefulness, offset tracking is not without its limitations. For example, it
can be difficult to identify the same features on a glacier in different images,
particularly if the glacier has undergone significant changes in the interim.
However, with advances in technology and improved image processing
techniques, these limitations are becoming less of an issue.
In short, we can say, offset tracking is an important tool for monitoring glacier
velocity and understanding the dynamics of these crucial natural features. By
using remote sensing techniques like offset tracking, we can gain a better
understanding of the impacts of climate change on glaciers and make informed
decisions about how to protect them for future generations.
2. Research synthesis
2.1 Sentinal-1 Mission
The Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission is a European Union-led initiative that aims
to provide continuous and reliable data on the Earth's surface, regardless of
weather conditions or time of day. The Sentinel-1 mission is a remarkable
example of cutting-edge satellite technology that is revolutionizing the way we
observe our planet. Comprised of two polar-orbiting satellites equipped with
C-band synthetic aperture radar imaging capabilities.
Copernicus Senitel-1
The Sentinel-1 mission's SAR instruments can penetrate through clouds, rain, and
darkness, providing reliable and consistent data on land, oceans, and ice. The data
is used for a wide range of applications, including disaster management, maritime
surveillance, land monitoring, and climate change research. One of the most
significant advantages of the Sentinel-1 mission is its ability to operate in a pre-
programmed mode, which helps to minimize conflicts and ensure a consistent,
long-term data archive. This data archive is essential for applications that rely on
long time series, such as climate monitoring and land use planning.
The Sentinel-1 mission is a part of the broader Copernicus program, which is a
joint initiative of the European Commission (EC) and the European Space Agency
(ESA). The program aims to provide accurate and up-to-date information on the
environment, climate change, and security to support policy-making and decision-
making processes.
Perhaps most impressively, Sentinel-1 is just the first of five missions that the
European Space Agency (ESA) is developing for the Copernicus initiative. This
ambitious program aims to create a comprehensive, global monitoring system for
the environment and security, using a combination of satellite, ground-based, and
airborne observations.
The Copernicus program has the potential to transform the way we understand
and manage our planet, providing vital information on everything from weather
patterns and natural disasters to urbanization and transportation. With the
Sentinel-1 mission leading the way, we can look forward to a future where satellite
technology plays an increasingly important role in our daily lives.
Sentinel-1 mission
2.2. Glaciers found in the eastern portion of the Greenland ice
sheet.
Greenland, the world's largest island, is home to the second-largest ice sheet on
Earth, which covers approximately 80% of its land surface. The Eastern Glaciers of
Greenland are a key component of this ice sheet and play a vital role in regulating
global sea levels.
The Eastern Glaciers of Greenland are located in the eastern part of the island
and include glaciers such as the Sortebrae and the Broggraven glacier. These
glaciers are known for their dynamic behaviour, with some of them experiencing
significant mass loss and retreat in recent decades
The retreat of the Eastern Glaciers of Greenland has significant implications for
global sea level rise. As these glaciers lose mass and retreat, they contribute to the
overall melting of the Greenland ice sheet, which is a major driver of sea level rise.
Understanding the behaviour of these glaciers and their impact on sea level rise is
therefore crucial for policymakers and researchers working to address the
challenges of climate change.
2.3. Offset Tracking

Offset tracking is a powerful technique used in remote sensing and image
processing for estimating the movement of objects or features over time. The
principle of offset tracking is based on image correlation, which involves
comparing two or more images to identify changes in the position of objects or
features.
To use offset tracking, two images of the same scene are captured at different
times. The two images are then aligned using feature-based or area-based
matching algorithms. Feature- based algorithms use distinct points or features,
such as edges or corners, to align the images, while area-based algorithms use the
overall intensity and texture of the images.
Once the images are aligned, a displacement map is generated by tracking the
movement of features between the two images. The displacement map
represents the distance and direction that each feature has moved between the
two images.
The displacement map is then converted into velocity by dividing the distance
moved by the time interval between the two images. This velocity map can be
used to analyze and visualize the movement of objects or features, such as the
flow of water in a river or the movement of a glacier.
Offset tracking is a powerful technique that has many applications in remote
sensing, including monitoring changes in land use, tracking the movement of
glaciers and ice sheets, and studying the dynamics of ocean currents and waves.
Its ability to accurately track the movement of objects and features over time
makes it an essential tool for researchers and analysts working in a wide range of
fields.
Advantages of Offset Tracking:
1. Non-intrusive: Offset tracking is a non-intrusive technique that does not require
physical contact with the glacier.
2. High spatial resolution: Offset tracking can provide high spatial resolution
velocity estimates, allowing for detailed analysis of glacier dynamics.
3. Remote sensing: Offset tracking can be performed using remote sensing
techniques, allowing for large-scale glacier velocity monitoring.
4. Long-term monitoring: Offset tracking can be used for long-term monitoring of
glacier velocity, providing insights into the glacier's behaviour over time.
Disadvantages of Offset Tracking:
1. Limitations in accuracy: Accuracy depends on image quality, resolution,
alignment, and feature tracking algorithms, with errors leading to velocity
estimate inaccuracies.
2. Limited temporal resolution: Needs 2+ images of the same scene captured at
different times. Longer intervals may miss object/feature movement range.
3. Limited spatial resolution: Spatial resolution restricted by feature size &
distribution; small or sparse features can compromise velocity estimate accuracy
and resolution.
4. Computational complexity: Computationally complex and time-consuming
when processing large image datasets, which can be challenging for researchers
and analysts with limited computing resources.
5. Dependence on image quality: Poor image quality can lead to errors in the
alignment and feature tracking algorithms, resulting in inaccurate velocity
estimates.
Applications of Offset Tracking:
1. Understanding glacier behaviour: Offset tracking can be used to understand
how glaciers move and how they respond to changes in their environment.
2. Predicting glacier behaviour: Offset tracking can be used to predict how glaciers
will behave in the future, which is essential for understanding the potential
impacts of climate change on glacier dynamics.
3. Glacier hazard assessment: Offset tracking can be used to assess the potential
hazards associated with glacier movement, such as glacial lake outburst floods
(GLOFs).
3. Methodology
3.1.Overall steps
Data Acquisition: Data acquisition refers to the process of collecting data from
various sources or sensors. In remote sensing, data acquisition involves capturing
images or other information about the earth's surface or atmosphere using
various remote sensing systems like satellites, drones, or airborne sensors.
Pre-Processing: Pre-processing involves a set of techniques applied to raw data to
improve the quality and usability of the data. Pre-processing techniques include
noise reduction, image enhancement, geometric correction, and radiometric
calibration.
Removal of Thermal Noise: Thermal noise is the random noise generated by the
electronic components of the remote sensing system due to their temperature.
The removal of thermal noise involves filtering the signal to reduce or eliminate
the effect of this noise on the acquired data.
DEM Assisted Co-registration: Co-registration refers to the process of aligning
two or more images or datasets acquired at different times or from different
sensors. DEM (Digital Elevation Model) assisted co-registration involves using the
elevation information of the terrain to improve the accuracy of co-registration.
This technique is particularly useful for remote sensing applications where precise
alignment of images is critical, such as change detection or monitoring of land
surface deformation.
Offset Tracking: Offset tracking involves measuring and correcting the differences
in position between two or more images or datasets acquired at different times or
from different sensors. This technique is particularly useful for remote sensing
applications where the monitoring of subtle changes in the land surface is critical,
such as monitoring the movement of glaciers or detecting changes in land use.
3.2. SNAP software

The European Space Agency (ESA) has created a standardised software framework
called SNAP (Sentinel Application Platform) to manage data from a variety of Earth
observation missions, including the Sentinel missions. Open Source Remote
Sensing Data Processing and Analysis Software.
The data processing, visualisation, and analysis capabilities in SNAP are both
powerful and easy to use. Some of its most notable characteristics are:
• SNAP is compatible with a wide variety of data formats, such as those used by
the Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, and Sentinel-3 satellite missions, among others.
• SNAP's graphical user interface makes it possible to handle and view remote
sensing data without the need for coding expertise.
• Manipulation of data: SNAP includes filters, re-samplers, and masks to facilitate

this process.
• Radiometric correction, atmospheric correction, and terrain correction are only

some of the image processing capabilities available in SNAP
Snap software
• Classification, change detection, and time series analysis are just few of the
analytic methods that may be performed with the help of SNAP.
Flow charts used in whole process:
Step 1 flow chart
Step 2 flow chart
4.Results and Conclusion

Velocity Profile along Flow Line
Temperature and Precipitation Trend
Overall Sortebrae glacier velocity increased by 65 % from 2018 to 2022
Overall Broggraven glacier velocity decreased by 21% from 2018 to 2022
Broggraven shows decresing trends due to ice mass loss
Sortebrae shows increasing trends which needs to be further investigated, basal
dynamics, grounding line dynamics and ocean interactions are some processes
which needs to be studied
This behavior can be attributed to warmer air temperature, grounding line
dynamics, warmer sea water
Annual Average Temperature increased
There exists a relation between temperature and glacier velocity but it is
accompanied by several other factors

GNR 618 Report Climate Investigation Gulab Singh

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GNR 618 Report Climate Investigation Gulab Singh

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Presented by: Presented to:

Mohit Rakh (210040100) Prof. Gulab Singh

Final project Executive summary:

Final project details:

2.3. Offset Tracking

3.2. SNAP software

• Manipulation of data: SNAP includes filters, re-samplers, and masks to facilitate

• Radiometric correction, atmospheric correction, and terrain correction are only

Step 1 flow chart

Step 2 flow chart

4.Results and Conclusion

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