GlacierNet2: A Hybrid Multi-Model Learning Architecture for Alpine Glacier Mapping

TL;DR

GlacierNet2 is a new hybrid multi-model deep learning architecture that significantly improves the accuracy of regional glacier mapping, including both ablation and accumulation zones, aiding climate change studies.

Contribution

It introduces GlacierNet2, an enhanced multi-model deep learning system with post-processing and hydrological techniques for comprehensive glacier mapping.

Findings

Achieved high IOU scores of 0.8839 for ablation zones.

Provided complete glacier outlines with an IOU of 0.8619.

Demonstrated improved accuracy over previous methods.

Abstract

In recent decades, climate change has significantly affected glacier dynamics, resulting in mass loss and an increased risk of glacier-related hazards including supraglacial and proglacial lake development, as well as catastrophic outburst flooding. Rapidly changing conditions dictate the need for continuous and detailed observations and analysis of climate-glacier dynamics. Thematic and quantitative information regarding glacier geometry is fundamental for understanding climate forcing and the sensitivity of glaciers to climate change, however, accurately mapping debris-cover glaciers (DCGs) is notoriously difficult based upon the use of spectral information and conventional machine-learning techniques. The objective of this research is to improve upon an earlier proposed deep-learning-based approach, GlacierNet, which was developed to exploit a convolutional neural-network segmentation model to accurately outline regional DCG ablation zones. Specifically, we developed an enhanced GlacierNet2 architecture thatincorporates multiple models, automatic post-processing, and basin-level hydrological flow techniques to improve the mapping of DCGs such that it includes both the ablation and accumulation zones. Experimental evaluations demonstrate that GlacierNet2 improves the estimation of the ablation zone and allows a high level of intersection over union (IOU: 0.8839) score. The proposed architecture provides complete glacier (both accumulation and ablation zone) outlines at regional scales, with an overall IOU score of 0.8619. This is a crucial first step in automating complete glacier mapping that can be used for accurate glacier modeling or mass-balance analysis.