“By creating we think, by living we learn” Patrick Geddes
Increases in the number of debris-covered glaciers (>50% ablation zone covered by debris) and the expansion of debris-covers across 'clean' glaciers have been documented in most of the world's major glacierised mountain ranges, over the last c. 100 years. Debris cover has a profound impact on glacier mass balance with thick debris covers insulating the ice beneath protecting it from ablation, and very thin covers actually accelerating ablation due to the lower albedo of the debris. Debris cover may also be a useful indicator of the mass balance status and evidence of permafrost thawing on surrounding slopes (increasing slope destabilisation resulting in an increase in the debris input s onto a glacier), etc.
Also the unique behavior and response of debris covered glaciers to climate change has been relatively little studied, for example estimations of the future contribution of mountain glaciers to sea level rise don't take into account debris cover.
Given this background this thesis has 2 key interrelated aims: i) to test the utility of visible/near infrared satellite sensors for studying debris-covered glaciers; ii) to develop techniques to fully exploit the capability of these satellite sensors to extract useful information (e.g. debris cover properties) and monitor change over time at wide range of locations.
These aims are addressed through 4 key areas
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