An advanced understanding of plateau icefield response to climate change through a novel combination of repeat drone and radar surveys

Glaciers are vital but vulnerable water resources, fulfilling both natural and anthropogenic water demands. Crucial to planning the sustainable use of water-supplying glaciers are high-confidence forecasts of glacier change. However, current forecasts use relatively simple models, and key dynamic glacial processes are poorly represented.

One major uncertainty concerns how glacier thermal structure influences plateau icefield response to climate change. This project will address this crucial knowledge gap.

I will investigate a potential negative feedback between the development of cold ice (ice below the pressure-melting point) and ice flow, in which cold ice expansion could lead to ice deceleration and thinning. I will do this through a novel combination of repeat drone-based photogrammetry and radar surveys.

In a targeted study, I will apply these methods to Hardangerjøkulen (Norway), an icefield that is very sensitive to climate change. The icefield feeds an essential hydropower plant, but it is predicted to largely disappear by 2100.

Radar surveys will allow me to map the evolution of icefield thermal structure, while drone-based photogrammetry will provide a series of photomosaics and 3D models for quantitative glaciological analysis.

Through analysis of ice-flow data and glacier thermal structure, I will establish the link between ice dynamics and thermal structure. This will advance our understanding of plateau icefield dynamics and enable improved modelling.