Intercomparison of photogrammetric platforms for spatially continuous snow depth mapping

Snow depth has traditionally been estimated based on point measurements collected either manually or at automated weather stations. Point measurements, though, do not represent the high spatial variability in snow depths present in alpine terrain. Photogrammetric mapping techniques have progressed i...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:The cryosphere 2021-01, Vol.15 (1), p.69-94
Main Authors: Eberhard, Lucie A, Sirguey, Pascal, Miller, Aubrey, Marty, Mauro, Schindler, Konrad, Stoffel, Andreas, Bühler, Yves
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Airborne remote sensing
Aircraft
Automation
Avalanches
Cameras
Depth
Error analysis
Image acquisition
Imagery
Intercomparison
Lasers
Mapping
Measurement techniques
Photogrammetry
Platforms
Root-mean-square errors
Satellites
Single lens reflex
Single-lens reflex cameras
Snow
Snow accumulation
Snow depth
Spatial variability
Spatial variations
Standard deviation
Terrain
Terrestrial environments
Unmanned aerial vehicles
Valleys
Weather stations
Work platforms
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Snow depth has traditionally been estimated based on point measurements collected either manually or at automated weather stations. Point measurements, though, do not represent the high spatial variability in snow depths present in alpine terrain. Photogrammetric mapping techniques have progressed in recent years and are capable of accurately mapping snow depth in a spatially continuous manner, over larger areas and at various spatial resolutions. However, the strengths and weaknesses associated with specific platforms and photogrammetric techniques as well as the accuracy of the photogrammetric performance on snow surfaces have not yet been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, industry-standard photogrammetric platforms, including high-resolution satellite (Pléiades), airplane (Ultracam Eagle M3), unmanned aerial system (eBee+ RTK with SenseFly S.O.D.A. camera) and terrestrial (single lens reflex camera, Canon EOS 750D) platforms, were tested for snow depth mapping in the alpine Dischma valley (Switzerland) in spring 2018. Imagery was acquired with airborne and space-borne platforms over the entire valley, while unmanned aerial system (UAS) and terrestrial photogrammetric imagery was acquired over a subset of the valley. For independent validation of the photogrammetric products, snow depth was measured by probing as well as by using remote observations of fixed snow poles.
ISSN:1994-0424
1994-0416
1994-0424
1994-0416
DOI:10.5194/tc-15-69-2021