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Passive microwave (SSM/I) satellite predictions of valley glacier hydrology, Matanuska Glacier, Alaska
Author(s) -
Kopczynski S.,
Ramage J.,
Lawson D.,
Goetz S.,
Evenson E.,
Denner J.,
Larson G.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2008gl034615
Subject(s) - snowmelt , glacier , snow , satellite , geology , meltwater , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , climatology , geomorphology , geotechnical engineering , aerospace engineering , engineering
We advance an approach to use satellite passive microwave observations to track valley glacier snowmelt and predict timing of spring snowmelt‐induced floods at the terminus. Using 37 V GHz brightness temperatures (Tb) from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I), we monitor snowmelt onset when both Tb and the difference between the ascending and descending overpasses exceed fixed thresholds established for Matanuska Glacier. Melt is confirmed by ground‐measured air temperature and snow‐wetness, while glacier hydrologic responses are monitored by a stream gauge, suspended‐sediment sensors and terminus ice velocity measurements. Accumulation area snowmelt timing is correlated (R 2 = 0.61) to timing of the annual snowmelt flood peak and can be predicted within ±5 days.