Evaluating ICESat full waveforms over the part of Nyainqêntanglha Mountain range, the Tibetan Plateau

Abstract

Glaciers in the Tibetan mountains are expected to be sensitive to climate change. The change of glacier mass is locally depending on e.g. precipitation, melting and variation in ice flow. In this paper we analyze the data acquired by ICESat/GLAS laser altimetry, along several tracks over the glaciers of the Nyainqêntanglha range from February, 2003 to November, 2004. The surface characteristics are evaluated within laser footprints over the glacier outlines based on the glaciological inventory on the Tibetan Plateau constructed by CAREERI, CAS. For this purpose, we extract two waveform parameters: the waveform width and the number of modes. These parameters are compared with surface slope and roughness obtained from the ASTER GDEM (Global Digital Elevation Model).