Close-range and satellite remote sensing techniques for the cryosphere monitoring

In this thesis different remote sensing techniques were used to investigate and monitor two cryospheric components, snow cover and glaciers. We used mainly close-range remote sensing techniques, but also satellite images, sometimes integrated with field measurements and observations, in order to be able to investigate snow cover and glaciers at a high spatial and/or temporal resolution. The research was carried out both in polar (Antarctic) and in high-mountain (Alpine) areas. Four case studies are presented in the thesis. In the first case study we investigated snow cover spatial and temporal variability at Signy Island (maritime Antarctica) using time-lapse photography. In the second case study we used ground-based thermal imaging to analyse surface temperature distribution and estimate supraglacial debris thickness on a small alpine glacier (Gran Zebrù glacier, Ortles-Cevedale group, Italy). In the third case study the evolution of the sparse debris cover during the melting season at two small Alpine glaciers (Gran Zebrù and Sforzellina, Ortles-Cevedale group, Italy) and its impact on glacier albedo, ablation and surface temperatures were investigated. To do so ground-based photography and thermal imaging were used, but also field measurements. In the last case study we used satellite images from the recently launched PlanetScope constellation, offering daily data at high resolution, to monitor the evolution of five small glaciers located in different sectors of the Alps.