MAPPING SUPRAGLACIAL DEBRIS FROM THE SCHIRMACHER OASIS, EAST ANTARCTICA USING MATLAB IMAGE PROCESSING TOOLBOX

摘要

In this study, we performed pixel-based characterization of supraglacial debris on Schirmacher Oasis, Princess Astrid Coast, Queen Maud Land, East Antarctica, using high-resolution WorldView-2 (WV-2) satellite imagery. Schirmacher Oasis is covered with blue ice, white ice, and snow. Debris being an important parameter in glacial melt and ablation, pixel-based methods were employed using MATLAB image processing routines. The results suggest that pixel-based methods yielded around 70% accuracy, when compared to manual reference. Results with MATLAB looks promising with subdued over and under estimation when compared with the manual area (debris area). Accuracy assessment for the classification was done using manually digitized reference data with the help of confusion matrix. Future attempts include analyzing the distribution with respect to altitude, presence of streams and temporal change in the distribution on different years.