Search NASA⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Fahnestock, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Fahnestock, M..

13 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1999

Ice Flow in the North East Greenland Ice Stream

Early observations with ERS-1 SAR image data revealed a large ice stream in North East Greenland (Fahnestock 1993). The ice stream has a number of the characteristics of the more closely studied ice streams in Antarctica, including its large size and gross geometry. The onset of rapid flow close to the ice divide and the evolution of its flow pattern, however, make this ice stream unique. These features can be seen in the balance velocities for the ice stream (Joughin 1997) and its outlets. The ice stream is identifiable for more than 700 km, making it much longer than any other flow feature in Greenland. Our research goals are to gain a greater understanding of the ice flow in the northeast Greenland ice stream and its outlet glaciers in order to assess their impact on the past, present, and future mass balance of the ice sheet. We will accomplish these goals using a combination of remotely sensed data and ice sheet models. We are using satellite radar interferometry data to produce a complete maps of velocity and topography over the entire ice stream. We are in the process of developing methods to use these data in conjunction with existing ice sheet models similar to those that have been used to improve understanding of the mechanics of flow in Antarctic ice streams.

Joughin, Ian↗
NASA NTRS1996

(abstract) Three Dimensional Ice-Flow Velocity Estimation Using Satellite Radar Interferometry

An understanding of the flow dynamics of an ice sheet's outlet glaciers and ice streams requires knowledge of their flow velocity and strain rates (i.e., velocity gradients). Prior to the recent advent of satellite radar interferometry, it was not possible to measure detailed ice-flow velocity over the vast featureless areas that comprise most of the ice sheets. Since the launch of ERS-1, the use of satellite radar interferometry data for making densly sampled ice-flow velocity measurements has been firmly established by several studies. We have combined data from nonparallel orbits with surface slope information to make vector ice-flow measurements for the Ryder Glacier, Greenland. Our results for the Ryder are promising and indicate that repeat-pass interferometric data can be used to make vector measurements of ice velocity.

ice sheets radar interferometry glaciers flow dyna↗
NASA NTRS1996

(abstract) A Mini-Surge on the Ryder Glacier, Greenland

We have detected a dramatic short-term speedup of the Ryder Glacier, Greenland, using satellite radar interferometry. The accelerated flow represents a substantial, though short-lived, change in the ice discharge from the basin. We use the term.

Greenland Ice Sheet Glaciers Ryder Glacier radar i↗
NASA NTRS1996

A Mini-Surge on theRyder Glacier, Greenland Observed via Satelite Radar Interferometry

A dramatic short term speed up of the Ryder glacier has been detected using satellite radar interferometry. The accelerated flow represents a substantial, though short-lived, change in the ice discharge from this basin. We believe that meltwater was involved in this event, either as an active participant, as meltwater-filled lakes on the surface of the glacier drained during the period of rapid motion.

Ryder glacier Greenland ice sheet Antarctictic ice↗
NASA NTRS1996

Interferometric Estimation of theThree-Dimensional Ice-Flow Velocity Vector Using Ascending and Descending Passes

Satellite radar interferometry provides an importatn new tool for determining ice-flow velocity. Interferometric measurements made from a single track direction are sensitive only to a single component of the three-dimensional velocity vector. Observations from along thre different track directions would allow the full velocity vector to be determined. A north/south-looking SAR could provide these observations over large portions of the globe but not over large areas of the polar ice sheets. We develop and demonstrate a technique that allows the full three-component velocity vector to be determined from data acquired along two track directions (ascending and descending) under a surface-parallel flow assumption.

interferometry satellite radar interferometry ice-↗