The Cryosphere
The Cryosphere
TC
Articles | Volume 16, issue 1
Articles | Volume 16, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-103-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-103-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 16, issue 1
Research article
 | 
13 Jan 2022
Research article |  | 13 Jan 2022

An empirical algorithm to map perennial firn aquifers and ice slabs within the Greenland Ice Sheet using satellite L-band microwave radiometry

Julie Z. Miller, Riley Culberg, David G. Long, Christopher A. Shuman, Dustin M. Schroeder, and Mary J. Brodzik

Data sets

Perennial Firn Aquifer and Ice Slab Extents 2015-2019 Mapped using NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive Satellite Julie Z. Miller https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5745983

SMAP Radiometer Twice-Daily rSIR-Enhanced EASE-Grid 2.0 Brightness Temperatures, Version 1 M. J. Brodzik, D. G. Long, and M. A. Hardman https://doi.org/10.5067/QZ3WJNOUZLFK

MEaSUREs Greenland Ice Mapping Project (GIMP) Land Ice and Ocean Classification Mask, Version 1 I. Howat https://doi.org/10.5067/B8X58MQBFUPA

Multilayer Greenland Ice Surface Temperature, Surface Albedo, and Water Vapor from MODIS, Version 1 D. K. Hall and N. DiGirolamo https://doi.org/10.5067/7THUWT9NMPDK

Spatial extent of Greenland firn aquifer detected by airborne radars Clément Miège https://doi.org/10.18739/A2985M

Greenland Ice Slabs Data Michael MacFerrin https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.8309777.v1

Refrozen melt layer location, density, and connectivity records from airborne radar sounding R. Culberg https://doi.org/10.18739/A2736M33W

ceBridge Accumulation Radar L1B Geolocated Radar Echo Strength Profiles, Version 2 J. Paden, J. Li, C. Leuschen, F. Rodriguez-Morales, and R. Hale https://doi.org/10.5067/0ZY1XYHNIQNY

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Short summary
We use L-band brightness temperature imagery from NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite to map the extent of perennial firn aquifer and ice slab areas within the Greenland Ice Sheet. As Greenland's climate continues to warm and seasonal surface melting increases in extent, intensity, and duration, quantifying the possible rapid expansion of perennial firn aquifers and ice slab areas has significant implications for understanding the stability of the Greenland Ice Sheet.
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