Optical remote sensing for Dynamic Monitoring of glacial Ice and Permafrost ODMIP

Understanding change in frozen environments is necessary to address some of the largest challenges posed to humanity by climate change. Recent advances in our understanding of the dynamics and stability of our glacial and perma frost landscapes have been driven by the latest generation of remote sensing, particularly radarimagery. However, these techniques offer little predictive capacity, providing only post-movement measurements.

Recent work in SEES/Centre for Applied Geoscience has demonstrated infrared light as a non-contact strain measurement technique for rocks and soils (Butcher et al 2016, Butcher et al in press). ODMIP is across disciplinary extension of this to develop a proof of concept that strain in frozen/defrosting water, soil and rock can be measured using non-contact infrared techniques. Algorithms developed could then be usefully applied to better understand (and predict) the spatial distribution of strain in glacial ice and of permafrost, particularly where changes may impact the safe operation of oil and gas pipelines. We will publish a concept paper, facilitating joint research bids between UoP and others. Investment is required for a small freezing chamber that can be installed on our existing equipment allowing duplication of published work with frozen material.