Applying GNSS and DTM technologies to monitor the ice balance of the Horcones Inferior glacier, Aconcagua Region, Argentina

LENZANO M. G; LENZANO, LUIS; TROMBOTTO, DARÍO; BARON, JORGE; LANNUTTI, E

PHOTONIRVACHAK-JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN SOCIETY OF REMOTE SENSING

INDIAN SOC REMOTE SENSING

Lugar: DOI: 10.1007/s12524-013-0294-z; Año: 2013

0255-660X

This work provides results and analysis of the behavior in a reconstituted debris covered glacier, Horcones Inferior (HIG). This glacier is located at 32° 41′ S and 69° 57′ W in the Aconcagua region, Mendoza, Argentina. The HIG has experienced surges events in 1984 and 2003. GNSS techniques and Dig- ital Terrain Models (DTMs) derived from ASTER optical imagery, were used to detect movements and altimetric changes of the HIG in the 2001–2012 period. Based on a GNSS semi - continuous station, N and E mean velocities of 0.9 cm/d and 1.1 cm/d and in U direction were 1.1 cm/d and 1.5 cm/d were obtained respectively in 2009–2010 period. Additionally, GNSS profiles showed a velocity range between 0.5 cm/d and 2.8 cm/d. Finally, through a DTM comparison the altimetric change before and after the last surge in 2003 was obtained. The applied techniques allowed accurate and reliable change detection of the HIG.