I need some help with this.
1. You are a climatologist who has been given the task of finding out how much glaciers and ice caps have receded over the past 50 years.
2. You have at your disposal satellite image data from this entire time period.
3. How could you gather data (measurements) from the satellite images and what format would be a good way to present the data you have gathered?
how the heck do I do this ?!?
You could set up the years into months and locate the time on the x-axis, and plot the mass of the ice field on the y-axis. That way you could see that as the months progress the ice field gets smaller and smaller. The total mass in year one - the mass in the last of the 50 years will give you the amount that the mass has reduced : )
To gather data on glacier and ice cap recession using satellite images, you can follow these steps:
1. Identify the region of interest: Determine the specific glaciers and ice caps you want to study. This may involve selecting a geographic area or a specific set of glaciers.
2. Access satellite image data: Obtain satellite images that cover the time period you are interested in. There are various sources for satellite imagery like NASA Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS), European Space Agency (ESA), and Google Earth Engine.
3. Analyze imagery over time: Compare the satellite images from different time points to identify changes in glaciers and ice caps. Look for visible signs of recession, such as the shrinkage of ice coverage or the retreat of glacier fronts.
4. Measure recession: Use image analysis techniques to measure the extent of glacier and ice cap recession. This can involve identifying the glacier boundaries in each image and quantifying the change in their size or position over time.
5. Calculate recession rates: Determine the rate at which glaciers and ice caps are receding by dividing the measured change in size or position by the time interval between the satellite images.
6. Presenting the data: Once you have gathered the measurements, consider presenting the data in a format that is clear and visually understandable. Some options include:
- Graphs or charts: Use line graphs or bar charts to display the recession rates over time.
- Maps: Create maps that show the extent of recession and highlight specific areas experiencing significant changes.
- Before-and-after images: Present the satellite images in pairs to visually compare the changes that have occurred.
Remember, interpreting satellite images and analyzing glacier recession can be complex. If you are not familiar with image analysis techniques or lack expertise in climatology, it may be helpful to consult with experts or research institutions specializing in these areas for guidance and collaboration.