Abstract
Comprehensive studies on Little Ice Age glacier mapping and surface reconstructions are important for understanding the effects of climate change and projecting future scenarios. This thesis examines the mapping and reconstruction of Little Ice Age (LIA) glacier extents and surfaces, focusing on uncertainties and methods. Using high-resolution satellite imagery and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), 709 new digital LIA glacier outlines were produced in five regions: Alaska, Baffin Island, Novaya Zemlya, the European Alps and the Tropics. The thesis assesses the uncertainties associated with data quality and interpretation and shows that a predominant uncertainty is due to analyst interpretation. Several Geographic Information System (GIS)-based surface reconstruction methods were examined, and a new approach was developed based on up-scaling recent elevation changes to LIA surfaces, which proved to be more accurate, especially in the accumulation area. Glacier area and volume changes since the LIA were quantified, showing regional variations and significant losses, especially in the European Alps and Tropics with an accelerating trend. The work contributes to the understanding of glacier response to climate change and its impact on sea level rise, providing insights into long-term glacier dynamics and methodologies for future studies. This research was carried out as part of the Horizon 2020 PROTECT project and resulted in three first-author scientific publications.
Reinthaler, Johannes