Ice volume estimates of Swiss glaciers using helicopter-borne GPR — an example from the Glacier de la Plaine Morte

Abstract

Better knowledge of the existing ice volume and the bedrock topography of Alpine glaciers is required to overcome challenges occurring from the environmental and economic impact of the ongoing melting of the glaciers. To obtain this information, we have recently developed a helicopter-borne GPR-system from commercially available components, and we have established a MATLAB®-based processing software package. Using the example of the Glacier de la Plaine Morte, we demonstrate how this instrument and software can be employed to image the bedrock topography and to determine the spatial ice thickness distribution.