odelli digitali del terreno (DTM) ad alta risoluzione per il monitoraggio dei ghiacciai alpini – Digital Terrain Models of a high resolution for monitoring alpine glaciers
The aim of the research is the 3D reconstruction of a glacier surface thr ough the use of satellite stereoscopic images and Geographic al Information Systems (GIS). Th e project ‘s doubl e goal is to improve Digital Terrain Mod el (DTM) extraction techniques in morphologically highlycomplex areas and to obtain a high resolution DTM for studying, monitoring, and quant ifying the glacial resource. The ext raction of the high- resolution glacial surface DTM faces different challenges due to the ext reme physical variability of the surface. Glacier ice is a continuously moving deformable material that can locally genera te morphologically complex structures such as seracs and crevasses. These features show a seasonal variability linked to meteorological condi tions. An additional reason of compl exity is the presen ce of debri s (surface moraines) and snow cover: they can apparently alter the spatial shape of the glacier as well as its own elevation. The aim of the research is to identi fy a fast. .reproducible, and reliable method to support the traditional glacier survey and moni toring techniques. From the technolo gical point of view, we also want to verify the chances offered by new remote sensing acquisition systems and relevant elaboration software. Thi s first pa rt of the research has been of value in proving the reliability of the aerial and satellite images plane/ elevation data elaboration system, in checking the acquisition difficulties and costs, and in testing the utilization limits of the remote sensed data