Himalayan glacier retreat using IRS 1C PAN stereo data

Abstract

A merged image of nadir viewing PAN and LISS III data of 2000 and PAN stereo data of 2000–2001 from Indian Remote Sensing satellite (IRS)‐1C covering Gangotri glacier was interpreted to identify its snout or terminus and to measure the retreat of this glacier with respect to the position of snout in a topographical map of 1962. Elevations from the map and DEM generated from stereo data were compared to determine the thickness of the glacier ice across the section of retreat prior to year 1962. The annual retreat of the glacier at the end of the ablation season during the year 2000–2001 was measured using PAN orthoimages.