Satellite-based glacier monitoring in the ESA project Glaciers_cci

Well established techniques with partly automated processing workflows are in place to extract most relevant information about glaciers (area, elevation change, velocity) from a large variety of spaceborne sensors types (optical, microwave, altimeters). They generally provide complimentary information and are thus particularly useful when combined. With the recently launched (Cryosat-2, TanDEM-X) or planned (Sentinels 1 and 2, LDCM) satellite missions and the commitment to free data distribution by space agencies, the contribution of space-borne sensors to glacier monitoring will play an increasing role in the future.