Surface velocities of Upsala glacier, Southern Patagonian Andes, estimated using cross-correlation satellite imagery: 2013-2014 period

Abstract

In this study we present surface velocities estimation for the Upsala glacier catchment, South Patagonian Ice Field (SPI) during the summer season of years 2013 (January-March) and 2014 (March-April), including the Bertacchi, Cono, and Murallón tributaries using satellite images from Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER). The Cross-Correlation method was applied by COSI-Corr technique with sub-pixel accuracy. In general, it should be noted that the SPI glaciers, and Upsala glacier in particular, are fast-flowing ice bodies, which makes the technique works properly. Results of surface velocities estimation ranged from 0.22 to 2.93 md-1 for January-March 2013 and 0.12 to 5.8 md-1 for March-April 2014. In summary, COSI-Corr can achieved accurate and reliable results for glacier displacements and surface velocities estimation, also contributing in the better knowledge of the velocities change processes in time, taking into account Upsala is one of the most dynamic temperate glaciers of the SPI.