Articles | Volume 15, issue 8
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3699-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3699-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
06 Aug 2021
Research article |
| 06 Aug 2021
| 06 Aug 2021
Analyzing glacier retreat and mass balances using aerial and UAV photogrammetry in the Ötztal Alps, Austria
Joschka Geissler
3D RealityMaps GmbH, Dingolfinger Str. 9, Munich, 81673, Germany
Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Friedrichstr. 39, 79098 Freiburg, Germany
Christoph Mayer
Bavarian Academy of Science, Geodesy and Glaciology, Alfons-Goppel
Str. 11, Munich, 80539, Germany
Juilson Jubanski
3D RealityMaps GmbH, Dingolfinger Str. 9, Munich, 81673, Germany
Ulrich Münzer
Department of Earth and Environmental
Sciences, Section Geology (remote sensing), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Luisenstr. 37, 80333 Munich,
Germany
Florian Siegert
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Faculty of Biology, GeoBio Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, 80333 Munich, Germany
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Cited
18 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Massive sediment pulses triggered by a multi-stage 130 000 m3 alpine cliff fall (Hochvogel, DE–AT) N. Barbosa et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-249-2024
- Combining Daily Sensor Observations and Spatial LiDAR Data for Mapping Snow Water Equivalent in a Sub‐Alpine Forest J. Geissler et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023WR034460
- Svalbox Digital Model Database: A geoscientific window into the High Arctic P. Betlem et al. https://doi.org/10.1130/GES02606.1
- GlaUnTI: a hybrid physics–machine learning model enables transferable glacier surface mass balance estimation K. Maslov et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-6045-2026
- Photogrammetric rockfall monitoring in Alpine environments using M3C2 and tracked motion vectors L. Lucks et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophoto.2024.100058
- Accumulation by avalanches as a significant contributor to the mass balance of a peripheral glacier of Greenland B. Hynek et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5481-2024
- Evolution of mass loss at Alamkouh Glacier in Iran using multi-temporal high-resolution DEMs between 2010 and 2023 N. Karimi & S. Sheshangosht https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-025-14442-3
- Reduction of Glaciers in the Ulakhan-Chistay Range (Chersky Mountains) from 1970 to 2018 A. Muraviev & G. Nosenko https://doi.org/10.1134/S0097807822070119
- Understanding slow glacier flow under climate change: A case study on Vernagtferner, Austria T. Dobler et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-2531-2026
- Applying Artificial Cover to Reduce Melting in Dagu Glacier in the Eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Y. Xie et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15071755
- Assessing glacier thickness changes with multi-temporal UAV-derived DEMs: The evolution of Forni Glacier over the period 2014–2022 V. Belloni et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jag.2025.104547
- Monitoring the annual geodetic mass balance of Bordu and Sary-Tor glaciers using UAV data L. Van Tricht et al. https://doi.org/10.1017/aog.2023.71
- Reply to Lang et al.: The use of DEMs versus DSMs in viewshed analysis W. Guo et al. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2409845121
- Comparison of remote sensing feature tracking techniques using high-resolution UAV images for small mountain glacier surface velocity measurement S. Sheshangosht et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsase.2025.101781
- Glacier service value and influence on human well-being in Qilian Mountains X. Cai et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-023-2173-z
- The role of the cryosphere for runoff in a highly glacierised alpine catchment, an approach with a coupled model and in situ data A. Lambrecht & C. Mayer https://doi.org/10.1017/jog.2024.48
- Spatio‐temporal wet snow dynamics from model simulations and remote sensing: A case study from the Rofental, Austria E. Rottler et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.15279
- Establishment of Geographic Information Data of Greenland Glacier Using Fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle S. Lee et al. https://doi.org/10.22761/GD.2023.0007
18 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Massive sediment pulses triggered by a multi-stage 130 000 m3 alpine cliff fall (Hochvogel, DE–AT) N. Barbosa et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-249-2024
- Combining Daily Sensor Observations and Spatial LiDAR Data for Mapping Snow Water Equivalent in a Sub‐Alpine Forest J. Geissler et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023WR034460
- Svalbox Digital Model Database: A geoscientific window into the High Arctic P. Betlem et al. https://doi.org/10.1130/GES02606.1
- GlaUnTI: a hybrid physics–machine learning model enables transferable glacier surface mass balance estimation K. Maslov et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-6045-2026
- Photogrammetric rockfall monitoring in Alpine environments using M3C2 and tracked motion vectors L. Lucks et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophoto.2024.100058
- Accumulation by avalanches as a significant contributor to the mass balance of a peripheral glacier of Greenland B. Hynek et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5481-2024
- Evolution of mass loss at Alamkouh Glacier in Iran using multi-temporal high-resolution DEMs between 2010 and 2023 N. Karimi & S. Sheshangosht https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-025-14442-3
- Reduction of Glaciers in the Ulakhan-Chistay Range (Chersky Mountains) from 1970 to 2018 A. Muraviev & G. Nosenko https://doi.org/10.1134/S0097807822070119
- Understanding slow glacier flow under climate change: A case study on Vernagtferner, Austria T. Dobler et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-2531-2026
- Applying Artificial Cover to Reduce Melting in Dagu Glacier in the Eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Y. Xie et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15071755
- Assessing glacier thickness changes with multi-temporal UAV-derived DEMs: The evolution of Forni Glacier over the period 2014–2022 V. Belloni et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jag.2025.104547
- Monitoring the annual geodetic mass balance of Bordu and Sary-Tor glaciers using UAV data L. Van Tricht et al. https://doi.org/10.1017/aog.2023.71
- Reply to Lang et al.: The use of DEMs versus DSMs in viewshed analysis W. Guo et al. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2409845121
- Comparison of remote sensing feature tracking techniques using high-resolution UAV images for small mountain glacier surface velocity measurement S. Sheshangosht et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsase.2025.101781
- Glacier service value and influence on human well-being in Qilian Mountains X. Cai et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-023-2173-z
- The role of the cryosphere for runoff in a highly glacierised alpine catchment, an approach with a coupled model and in situ data A. Lambrecht & C. Mayer https://doi.org/10.1017/jog.2024.48
- Spatio‐temporal wet snow dynamics from model simulations and remote sensing: A case study from the Rofental, Austria E. Rottler et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.15279
- Establishment of Geographic Information Data of Greenland Glacier Using Fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle S. Lee et al. https://doi.org/10.22761/GD.2023.0007
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 01 Nov 2026
Short summary
The study demonstrates the potential of photogrammetry for analyzing glacier retreat with high spatial resolution. Twenty-three glaciers within the Ötztal Alps are analyzed. We compare photogrammetric and glaciologic mass balances of the Vernagtferner by using the ELA for our density assumption and an UAV survey for a temporal correction of the geodetic mass balances. The results reveal regions of anomalous mass balance and allow estimates of the imbalance between mass balances and ice dynamics.
The study demonstrates the potential of photogrammetry for analyzing glacier retreat with high...
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