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L-band radiometry for detecting englacial water pockets?
The wording "water pocket" is used as a collective term for englacial water clusters of unknown origin. The characterisation of such pockets remains elusive and their dynamics is virtually unknown. This project explores the potential of using L-band radiometry to characterize the enigmatic features.
Keywords: Glaciology, water pocket, field measurements, numerical modelling
"Water pockets" are englacial clusters of water. Invisible from the surface and hydrologically inactive most of the time, these enigmatic features go unnoticed most of the time. Sudden outbursts of water pockets can be dangerous, however, and have been causing damage to both persons and properties in the past. In light of their hazard potential, water pockets are of clear interest not only to glaciologists but also to a range of actors outside of the academic community.
"Water pockets" are englacial clusters of water. Invisible from the surface and hydrologically inactive most of the time, these enigmatic features go unnoticed most of the time. Sudden outbursts of water pockets can be dangerous, however, and have been causing damage to both persons and properties in the past. In light of their hazard potential, water pockets are of clear interest not only to glaciologists but also to a range of actors outside of the academic community.
The goal of this thesis is to explore the potential of using L-band radiometry to detect and characterize englacial water pockets. The project will have two components. The first component will use a L-band system ported by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and survey a glacier area known to harbour an englacial water stream. The aim is to assess whether pertinent information on the water presence can be retrieved with this technique. The second component will be based on a numerical model. In this case, forward modelling will be used to estimate the signal that a potential water pocket would provide in the L-band domain. To do so the Microwave Emission Model for Layered Snowpacks (MEMLS) will be used.
The work will be in collaboration with Dr. Derek Houtz, founder and CEO of TerraRad Tech (https://terraradtech.com/ ), a SpinOff company specialized in environmental radiometry.
The goal of this thesis is to explore the potential of using L-band radiometry to detect and characterize englacial water pockets. The project will have two components. The first component will use a L-band system ported by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and survey a glacier area known to harbour an englacial water stream. The aim is to assess whether pertinent information on the water presence can be retrieved with this technique. The second component will be based on a numerical model. In this case, forward modelling will be used to estimate the signal that a potential water pocket would provide in the L-band domain. To do so the Microwave Emission Model for Layered Snowpacks (MEMLS) will be used. The work will be in collaboration with Dr. Derek Houtz, founder and CEO of TerraRad Tech (https://terraradtech.com/ ), a SpinOff company specialized in environmental radiometry.
For further information please contact Prof. Daniel Farinotti (daniel.farinotti@ethz.ch) or Dr. Derek Houtz (derek.houtz@wsl.ch).
For further information please contact Prof. Daniel Farinotti (daniel.farinotti@ethz.ch) or Dr. Derek Houtz (derek.houtz@wsl.ch).