Mass balance and dynamics of a valley glacier measured by high-resolution LiDAR

The changing surface geometry of the glacier Midre Lovénbreen on Svalbard was investigated using LiDAR data acquired on 9 August 2003 and again on 5 July 2005. The data were processed to generate Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) of unprecedentedly high spatial resolution (2 m) and accuracy (better than 0.15 m). Comparison of the two DEMs allowed the mass balance of the glacier to be determined as more negative than −0.62 m yr−1 water equivalent, about twice as negative as the value estimated from in situ measurements. Comparison of the DEMs also showed that the area of the glacier decreased by around 0.3%, and the position of its margin retreated by around 14 m, from 2003 to 2005. It was also possible to track the motion of fine-scale features in the surface geometry such as meltwater channels, and hence to determine the glacier's surface velocity, in some areas. Typical average speeds were around 1–2 cm per day.