Modern drone technology provides an efficient means to monitor the response
of alpine glaciers to climate warming. Here we present a new topographic
dataset based on images collected during 10 UAV surveys of the
Gorner Glacier glacial system
(Switzerland) carried out approximately every 2 weeks throughout the summer
of 2017. The final products, available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.2630456
(Benoit et al., 2018), consist of a series of 10 cm resolution orthoimages,
digital elevation models of the glacier surface, and maps of ice surface displacement. Used on its own, this dataset allows mapping of the glacier
and monitoring surface velocities over the summer at a very high spatial
resolution. Coupled with a classification or feature detection algorithm, it
enables the extraction of structures such as surface drainage networks,
debris, or snow cover. The approach we present can be used in the future to
gain insights into ice flow dynamics.</p