Terrain analysis and data modeling for alpine glacier mapping

We investigate the utility of object‐oriented data modeling and analysis of the topography for alpine glacier mapping at Nanga Parbat, in northern Pakistan. Results indicate that first‐ and second‐order morphometric parameters can be used to study glacier features and delineate debris‐covered glaciers. Object‐oriented data modeling using a two‐level hierarchy was found to be successful for delineating the Raikot Glacier, although a three‐level hierarchy is required for more detailed glacier mapping. These findings are of special importance to the Global Land Ice Measurements from Space (GLIMS) project, which will use satellite imagery to assess and map the Earth's glaciers. Furthermore, hierarchical modeling of the topography may serve to provide a foundation upon which scientists may learn more about the polygenetic nature of topographic evolution.