University of Alaska, Fairbanks Science Overview
Since 1993 the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska (UAF-GI) has performed light aircraft laser altimetry surveys of over 200 glaciers across Alaskan and adjoining Canadian glaciers. Analysis of these survey data led to the discovery that these glaciers are losing mass so rapidly that they contribute significantly to global sea level rise, roughly at the same rate as the entire Greenland ice-sheet. The OIB UAF-GI campaign will augment and enhance the present, National Science Foundation funded, UAF-GI program of light aircraft altimetry and provide additional data coverage between ICESat I and ICESat II. The glaciers and icefields that have been identified for this segment, the Stikine Glacier and glaciers in Glacier Bay National Park, have been identified as exceptionally dynamic areas of rapid wastage. The combination of prodigious precipitation, high mass exchange rates and dynamic effects enables these glaciers to produce a large percentage of Alaska's total contribution to sea level rise.
IceSat has provided good coverage of the region's largest glaciers and icefields, including those of the St. Elias, Chugach and Coast Ranges along the Gulf of Alaska. In particular, ICESat lines across the Bering/Bagley, Seward/Malaspina/Agassiz and Icy Bay systems have proved especially valuable. OIB UAF-GI will fly additional coverage on these highest priority ICESat lines as well as those on the southeast icefields (Juneau and Stikine) during the same missions that will repeat existing UAF-GI flightlines. The OIB UAF-GI focus will be on repeating those ICESat data that cross and/or are close to existing UAF-GI profiles and that are on broad, smooth and gently sloping glaciers.
UAF Otter Glacier Bay Flight Tracks
UAF Otter Stikine Icefield Flight Tracks
