Detection and analysis of surface velocity over Baltoro glacier with ENVISAT ASAR data

As global warming intensifies, most of mountain glaciers are in retreat in the worldwide. However, glaciers in Karakoram have been observed to be slightly thickening and advancing. Because the Karakoram Mountains are one of the most remote and less accessible mountain ranges in the world, there are very few in situ observations of glacier dynamics in the Karakoram. In this study, we use 3 ENVISAT ASAR images acquired during the period 2004-2006 to detect surface velocity of the Baltoro glacier. Glacier surface velocity is derived from the SAR offset tracking method which is widely used to estimate surface displacements. Our results indicate that the glacier surface velocity is relatively stable during 2004 to 2006. Moreover, we discuss ice dynamics mechanisms by using transverse velocity profiles.