Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD) for the GAO and GLO products

Abstract

CryoClim is an Internet service providing cryospheric climate products, primarily based on satellite observations. The service is delivered through a web service and web portal (www.cryoclim.net). The portal includes manual searching, viewing and downloading capabilities. CryoClim is an operational and permanent service for long-term systematic climate monitoring of the cryosphere. The product production and the product repositories are hosted by mandated organisations. The databases are connected over the Internet in a seamless and scalable network, open for inclusion of more databases/sub-services. CryoClim provides sea ice and snow products of global coverage and glacier products covering Norway (mainland and Svalbard). The service has been developed by CryoClim project (2008–2013) by the Norwegian Computing Center (NR; project coordinator), Norwegian Meteorological Institute (MET Norway), Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) and Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI). CryoClim was an ESA PRODEX project funded by the Norwegian Space Centre.

Glacier GIS products from mainland Norway in the CryoClim service consist of Glacier Area Outline (GAO), Glacier Lake Outlines (GLO) and Glacier Periodic Photo series (GPP) products. The GAO and GLO products are derived from Landsat TM/ETM+ imagery using image analysis and GIS techniques. In this report we document the GAO and GLO products derived from Landsat.