Remote Sensing-Based Temporal Analysis of Aletsch Glacier Retreat (1990–2020)

Andrija Krtalić, Ana Kuveždić Divjak, Kristina Zeman Šteković

2025

Abstract

Glaciers represent an important component of the cryosphere and are among the most sensitive indicators of climate change and global warming. Over recent decades, climate change has significantly accelerated glacier retreat, prompting the development of various monitoring methods, such as the Glacier Monitoring in Switzerland (GLAMOS) program. Key parameters for understanding glacier dynamics include changes in mass balance, length, surface area, and snow accumulation, all of which are closely tied to climatic variations. These changes manifest as alterations in glacier morphology and mass, resulting in notable retreat compared to previous decades when such trends were less pronounced. This study focuses on analysing changes in the Great Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in the Alps, over the period 1990–2020 using remote sensing data/techniques. Automated glacier detection and mapping methods were applied, utilizing optical satellite data from Sentinel-2 and Landsat-5 missions. Glacier extents were delineated and analysed over the 30-year period, integrating satellite-derived estimates with official GLAMOS data and climatological records from the MeteoSwiss agency. The results reveal a reduction of approximately 5.2% in the surface area of the Great Aletsch Glacier, providing valuable insights into the glacier’s response to ongoing climate change.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Krtalić A., Divjak A. and Šteković K. (2025). Remote Sensing-Based Temporal Analysis of Aletsch Glacier Retreat (1990–2020). In Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Geographical Information Systems Theory, Applications and Management - Volume 1: GISTAM; ISBN 978-989-758-741-2, SciTePress, pages 253-263. DOI: 10.5220/0013481100003935

in Bibtex Style

@conference{gistam25,
author={Andrija Krtalić and Ana Divjak and Kristina Šteković},
title={Remote Sensing-Based Temporal Analysis of Aletsch Glacier Retreat (1990–2020)},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Geographical Information Systems Theory, Applications and Management - Volume 1: GISTAM},
year={2025},
pages={253-263},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0013481100003935},
isbn={978-989-758-741-2},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Geographical Information Systems Theory, Applications and Management - Volume 1: GISTAM
TI - Remote Sensing-Based Temporal Analysis of Aletsch Glacier Retreat (1990–2020)
SN - 978-989-758-741-2
AU - Krtalić A.
AU - Divjak A.
AU - Šteković K.
PY - 2025
SP - 253
EP - 263
DO - 10.5220/0013481100003935
PB - SciTePress