Glacial cover mapping (1987-1996) of the Cordillera Blanca (Peru) using satellite imagery

Multitemporal glacier area mapping is a key element in accurately determining fresh water reserves, as well as providing an indicator of climate change.In Peru, the first glacier inventory was based on visual interpretation of aerial photos, requiring several years of effort. Landsat Thematic Mapper satellite imagery, on the other hand, provides an increasingly employed alternative for the monitoring of changes in glacier area and in other glaciological parameters.By means of Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) computations on TM images, an estimate of the glacierized area in Cordillera Blanca (Peru) was carried out for 1987 (643±63 km²) and 1996 (600±61 km²). Compared to an estimate of 721 km² in 1970, it can be concluded that the glacier area has retreated in this massif by more than 15% in 25 years.     

Glacier changes in Glacier Bay,Alaska, during 2000–2012

This article presents measurements of glacier surface areas, mean snow line altitude (MSLA) values, mean snow accumulation area ratio (MAAR) values, and elevation changes in the Glacier Bay, Alaska, using Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM)/Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) images and digital elevation models (DEMs) from Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and interferometric synthetic aperture radar (IFSAR) data during 2000–2012. Glacier area estimation results showed that Desolation glacier and Fairweather glacier have lost 2.6% and 2.2% of the glacier area, respectively. Only minor surface area changes were seen in Cascade glacier, Crillon glacier, and Lituya glacier during the study period. The results of MSLA and MAAR showed that the MSLA of Fairweather glacier, Lituya glacier, and Desolation glacier increased by about 120–289 m and the MAAR of Fairweather glacier, Lituya glacier, and Desolation glacier decreased by about 3–6%. In contrast, MSLA and MAAR of Crillon glacier decreased by about 70 m and increased by about 1%, respectively. Glacier elevation change results showed that 7.7 m, 4.6 m and 1.5 m of mean thinning change were observed, respectively, on Fairweather glacier, Lituya glacier, and Desolation glacier. However, 7 m and 0.65 m of mean thickening were, respectively, experienced on Cascade glacier and Crillon glacier in the same period. Results from the study indicated that glacier retreat (Fairweather glacier, Lituya glacier, and Desolation glacier) affected by higher temperatures probably dominates with over-increased precipitation. However, increasing debris cover on the glacier surface can also modify the glacier dynamic, resulting in a different response to global warming.     

Monitoring glacier elevation and volume changes with digital photogrammetry and GIS at Gepatschferner glacier,Austria

Digital elevation models of Gepatschferner in Northern Tyrol, Austria were obtained with digital photogrammetry from high altitude stereo photo pairs and by digitizing an analogue topographic glacier map, for 1990 and 1971, respectively. A difference map was calculated to identify regions of glacier elevation increases and decreases corresponding to glacier mass gain and loss. While the glacier tongue below 2600 m showed mainly increases in glacier surface elevation as compared to 1971, the remaining glacier thickness experienced both increases and decreases. The accumulation zone above 3200 m contained several extreme cases of morphological features with altitude changes>+30 m. While the increased ice thickness of the glacier tongue can be traced to a well documented period of mass accumulation in the 1970s, changes in glacier surface elevation in the higher zones may be linked either to the morphology of the glacier bed or to differences in insolation on the glacier surface. Between 1971 and 1990 the glacier experienced a net loss of 26×10⁶ m³ corresponding to approximately 0.9% of the entire glacier volume.     

Glacier Mapper – a new method designed to assess change in mountain glaciers

This study proposes a new method designed to assess quantitative changes in mountain glaciers. The Glacier Mapper–Change Detector method has a four-step algorithm: (i) image ratioing on two time-comparable satellite images; (ii) digitization of glacier outlines from ratio images using a threshold value; (iii) change detection using the position of glacier outlines at two different moments in time; and (iv) derivation of the future evolution model by using relief-related parameters of glacier changes. The method was calibrated and verified for the Elbrus (Greater Caucasus) glacier over the period 1985–2007 using Landsat TM images. The Glacier Mapper–Change Detector results indicated altitude as the most important relief control for glacial retreat. The most probable future glacial area losses modelled reflect the 1985–2007 glacial retreat patterns.     

Multi-temporal and multi-source cartography of the glacial cover of Nevado Coropuna (Arequipa,Peru) between 1955 and 2003

This study reports on the glacial cover evolution of the Nevado Coropuna between 1955 and 2003, based on Peruvian topographic maps and satellite images taken from the Landsat 2 and 5 multispectral scanner (MSS), Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) and Landsat 7 (ETM+). The normalized difference snow index has been applied to these images to estimate the glacierized area of Coropuna. The satellite-based results show that the glacier area was 105 ± 16 km² in 1975 (Landsat 2 MSS), which then reduced to 96 ± 15 km² in 1985 (Landsat 5 MSS), 64 ± 8 km² in 1996 (Landsat 5 TM) and 56 ± 6 km² in 2003 (Landsat 5 TM). Altogether, between 1955 and 2003, Coropuna lost 66 km² of its glacial cover, which represents a mean retreat of 1.4 km² year^?1, that is, a loss of 54% in 48 years (11% loss per decade). The maximum rate of retreat occurred during the 1980s and 1990s, a phenomenon probably linked with the pluviometric deficit of El Niño events of 1983 and 1992.     

Routine Monitoring of Changes in the Columbia Glacier, Alaska, with Synthetic Aperture Radar

This study focuses on the use of spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) from the European Remote Sensing Satellite (ERS-1) and the Canadian RADARSAT satellite to monitor retreating glaciers, specifically the Columbia Glacier, and the hazards caused by their recession on a routine basis. The Columbia Glacier is an important tidewater glacier to monitor because of its present rapid retreat, its generation of icebergs, and its vicinity to oil-tanker traffic in and out of the Port of Valdez, Alaska. We have established routine monitoring of the Prince William Sound area using SAR aboard the Canadian RADARSAT on a semi-weekly basis. To demonstrate the use of this data, four ERS-1 and seven RADARSAT SAR images from 1992 to 1998 are used in this study to monitor the long-term retreat of the Columbia Glacier. A loss of 17.7±0.2 square kilometers is measured from 1992 to 1997, with 38.4% of this change occurring from 1993 to 1994. Also, hazards such as icebergs are monitored in near real-time. SAR is an efficient and cost-effective means of monitoring glaciers, where cloud cover and logistical costs and difficulties hamper other data-collection efforts. These data are available to U.S. Government users and would be of benefit to the Prince William Sound region if used operationally.     

Green leaf phenology at Landsat resolution: Scaling from the field to the satellite

Despite the large number of in situ, plot-level phenological measurements and satellite-derived phenological studies, there has been little success to date in merging these records temporally or spatially. In this research, we bridge this scale gap through higher resolution satellite records (Landsat) and quantify the accuracy of satellite-derived metrics with direct field measurements. We compiled fifty-seven Landsat scenes from southern New England (P12 R51) from 1984 to 2002. Green vegetation areal abundance for each scene was derived from spectral mixture analysis and a single set of endmembers. The leaf area signal was fit with a logistic-growth simulating sigmoid curve to derive phenological markers (half-maximum leaf-onset and offset). Spring leaf-onset dates in homogenous stands of deciduous forests displayed significant and persistent local variability. The local variability was validated with multiple springtime ground observations (r² = 0.91). The highest degree of verified small-scale variation occurred where contiguous forests displayed leaf-onset gradients of 10-14 days over short distances (< 500 m). These dramatic gradients occur in of low-relief (< 40 m) upland regions. The patterns suggest that microclimates resulting from springtime cold-air drainage may be influential in governing the start of leaf growth; every 4.16 m loss in elevation delayed spring leaf onset by 1 day. These microclimates may be of crucial importance in interpreting in situ records and interpolating phenology from satellite data. Regional patterns from the Landsat analyses suggest topographic, coastal, and land-use controls on phenology. Our results indicate that deciduous forests in the Providence, RI metropolitan area leaf out 5-7 days earlier than comparable rural areas. The platform-independent curve-fit methodology may be extended across platforms and field data. The methodologically consistent approach, in tandem with Landsat data, allows an effective scaling from plot to satellite phenological observations.     

Landsat-based inventory of glaciers in western Canada, 1985-2005

We report on a glacier inventory for the Canadian Cordillera south of 60°N, across the two western provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, containing ~ 30,000 km² of glacierized terrain. Our semi-automated method extracted glacier extents from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) scenes for 2005 and 2000 using a band ratio (TM3/TM5). We compared these extents with glacier cover for the mid-1980s from high-altitude, aerial photography for British Columbia and from Landsat TM imagery for Alberta. A 25 m digital elevation model (DEM) helped to identify debris-covered ice and to split the glaciers into their respective drainage basins. The estimated mapping errors are 3-4% and arise primarily from seasonal snow cover. Glaciers in British Columbia and Alberta respectively lost − 10.8 ± 3.8% and − 25.4% ± 4.1% of their area over the period 1985-2005. The region-wide annual shrinkage rate of − 0.55% a^− 1 is comparable to rates reported for other mountain ranges in the late twentieth century. Least glacierized mountain ranges with smaller glaciers lost the largest fraction of ice cover: the highest relative ice loss in British Columbia (− 24.0 ± 4.6%) occurred in the northern Interior Ranges, while glaciers in the northern Coast Mountains declined least (− 7.7 ± 3.4%).     

Motion patterns of Nabesna Glacier (Alaska) revealed by interferometric SAR techniques

Nabesna Glacier is one of the longest land-terminus mountain glaciers in North America. However, its flow has never been studied. We derived detailed motion patterns of Nabesna Glacier in winter and spring 1994–1996 from the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images acquired by the European Remote Sensing satellites (ERS-1 and ERS-2) using interferometric SAR (InSAR) techniques. Special effort was made to assess the accuracy of the motion estimates, and remove data points with high uncertainty from the motion profiles, enabling us to obtain reliable glacier flow patterns along the highly curved main course of Nabesna Glacier. The results, covering 80 km of the 87 km main course of the glacier, were used to delineate four distinctive sections in terms of spatial and temporal variability of the glacier speed: (1) the upper section where glacier flow was apparently random both temporally and spatially presumably due to development of crevasses; (2) the upper-middle section with relatively steady flow around 0.27 to 0.4 m/day; (3) the middle section with a stable pattern of acceleration from 0.27–0.3 m/day to the maximum about 0.67–0.73 m/day, followed by a general deceleration to 0.17–0.33 m/day before reaching (4) the lower section where the glacier motion was generally slow yet highly variable although uncertainty in the estimation is high. Occurrence of the flow maximum, as well as many local maxima and minima at consistent locations over different periods suggests that the valley geometry affect the overall flow pattern. On top of this general trend, many small-scale temporal/spatial variations in the glacier flow patterns were observed along the glacier, especially in the lower sections. On average, the flow speeds were in the range of 0.3 to 0.7 m/day; however this lacks any measurements of summer flow speeds which are expected to be significantly higher.     

Remote-sensing-based study of impact of a rock avalanche on North Terong Glacier in Karakorum Himalaya

ABSTRACT

In this article, we report the results of a study on occurrence of a mass-movement event classified as ‘rock avalanche’ over the North Terong glacier (a tributary of the Siachen Glacier in the Nubra Valley), using multi-date remote-sensing data of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM), Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), and Operational Land Imager (OLI) and its effects on glacier-surface velocity. Normalized cross-correlation image matching method for displacement measurements at sub-pixel level using Computer Imaging Analysis Software (CIAS), an add-on module of Environment for Visualizing Images (ENVI) software, was used to map changes in the position of debris-deposits of the rock avalanche and assess variations in glacier-surface velocities. Well-defined debris margins gave positions of debris on different dates. Study indicated that this rock avalanche must have occurred between 21 April 2000 and 8 May 2000 (possibly on 3 or 4 May). It induced a kinematic wave or a ‘mini-surge’ in the glacier with its surface velocity showing almost twofold increase in post-event period.     

基于遥感的祁连山东部冷龙岭冰川变化研究

利用1970年的地形图,1995、1999、2002和2009年的Landsat\|TM/ETM遥感影像,通过遥感图像处理和GIS技术对祁连山冷龙岭地区的冰川变化进行研究。结果表明：研究区的冰川面积1990年以来变化显著,1995年冰川面积比1970年减少了13.79%,1999年冰川面积比1995年减少了21.96%,2002年冰川面积比1999年减少了10.54%,2009年冰川面积比2002年减少了6.35%。选取研究区不同规模的18条典型冰川进行面积长度的变化分析,总体情况与前面一致。     

Recent changes in the snout position and surface velocity of Gangotri glacier observed from space

Glacier mass variations have a direct impact on some of the key components of the global water cycle, including sea level rise and freshwater availability. Apart from being one of the largest Himalayan glaciers, Gangotri is one of the sources of water for the Ganges river, which has a considerable influence on the socioeconomic structure of a largely over-populated catchment area accounting for ～26% of India’s landmass. In this study, we present the most recent assessment of the Gangotri glacier dynamics, combining the use of interferometric techniques on synthetic aperture radar data and sub-pixel offset tracking on Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) satellite imagery. Results show that on average, the Gangotri glacier snout has receded at a rate of 21.3 ± 3 m year^?1 over a period of 6 years (2004–2010). While glacier surface velocity near the snout is estimated to be between 24.8 ± 2.3 and 28.9 ± 2.3 m year^?1, interior portions of the glacier recorded velocities in the range of 13.9 ± 2.3 to 70.2 ± 2.3 m year^?1. Further, the average glacier surface velocity in the northern (lower) portions (28.1 ± 2.3 m year^?1) is observed to be significantly lower than in the southern (higher) portions (48.1 ± 2.3 m year^?1) of the Gangotri glacier. These values are calculated with an uncertainty of less than 5 m year^?1. Results also highlight a consistent retreat and non-uniform dynamics of the Gangotri glacier.     

Subglacial controls on dynamic thinning at Trinity-Wykeham Glacier,Prince of Wales Ice Field,Canadian Arctic

ABSTRACT

Mass loss from glaciers and ice caps represents the largest terrestrial component of current sea level rise. However, our understanding of how the processes governing mass loss will respond to climate warming remains incomplete. This study explores the relationship between surface elevation changes (dh/dt), glacier velocity changes (du/dt), and bedrock topography at the Trinity-Wykeham Glacier system (TWG), Canadian High Arctic, using a range of satellite and airborne datasets. We use measurements of dh/dt from ICESat (2003–2009) and CryoSat-2 (2010–2016) repeat observations to show that rates of surface lowering increased from 4 m yr^?1 to 6 m yr^?1 across the lowermost 10 km of the TWG. We show that surface flow rates at both Trinity Glacier and Wykeham Glacier doubled over 16 years, during which time the ice front retreated 4.45 km. The combination of thinning, acceleration and retreat of the TWG suggests that a dynamic thinning mechanism is responsible for the observed changes, and we suggest that both glaciers have transitioned from fully grounded to partially floating. Furthermore, by comparing the separate glacier troughs we suggest that the dynamic changes are modulated by both lateral friction from the valley sides and the complex geometry of the bed. Further, the presence of bedrock ridges induces crevassing on the surface and provides a direct link for surface meltwater to reach the bed. We observe supraglacial lakes that drain at the end of summer and are concurrent with a reduction in glacier velocity, suggesting hydrological connections between the surface and the bed significantly impact ice flow. The bedrock topography thus has a primary influence on the nature of the changes in ice dynamics observed over the last decade.     

SPOT5-HRS digital elevation models and the monitoring of glacier elevation changes in North-West Canada and South-East Alaska

Monitoring the response of land ice to climate change requires accurate and repeatable topographic surveys. The SPOT5-HRS (High Resolution Stereoscopic) instrument covers up to 120 km by 600 km in a single pass and has the potential to accurately map the poorly known topography of most glaciers and ice caps. The acquisition of a large HRS archive over ice-covered regions is planned by the French Space Agency (CNES) and Spotimage, France during the 2007–2008 International Polar Year (IPY). Here, we report on the accuracy and value of HRS digital elevation model (DEM) over ice and snow surfaces.

A DEM is generated by combining tools available from CNES with the PCI Orthoengine^SE software, using HRS images acquired in May 2004 over South-East Alaska (USA) and northern British Columbia (Canada). The DEM is evaluated through comparison with shuttle radar topographic mission (SRTM) DEM and ICESAT data, on and around the glaciers. A horizontal shift of 50 m is found between the HRS and SRTM DEMs and is attributed to errors in the SRTM DEM. Over ice-free areas, HRS elevations are 7 m higher than those of SRTM, with a standard deviation of ± 25 m for the difference between the two DEMs. The 7-m difference is partly attributed to the differential penetration of the electromagnetic waves (visible for HRS; microwave for SRTM) in snow and vegetation.

We also report on the application of sequential DEMs (SRTM DEM in February 2000 and HRS DEM in May 2004) for the monitoring of glacier elevation changes. We map the topographic changes induced by a surge of one tributary of Ferris Glacier. Maximum surface lowering of 42 (± 10) m and rising of 77 (± 10) m are observed in the 4 years time interval. Thinning rates up to 10 (± 2.5) m/yr are observed at low altitudes and confirm the ongoing wastage of glaciers in South-East Alaska.     

Landslide hazard and risk analyses at a landslide prone catchment area using statistical based geospatial model

This paper presents the application of remote sensing techniques, digital image analysis and Geographic Information System tools to delineate the degree of landslide hazard and risk areas in the Balik Pulau area in Penang Island, Malaysia. Its causes were analysed through various thematic attribute data layers for the study area. Firstly, landslide locations were identified in the study area from the interpretation of aerial photographs, satellite imageries, field surveys, reports and previous landslide inventories. Topographic, geologic, soil and satellite images were collected and processed using Geographic Information System and image processing tools. There are 12 landslide-inducing parameters considered for the landslide hazard analyses. These parameters are: topographic slope, topographic aspect, plan curvature, distance to drainage and distance to roads, all derived from the topographic database; geology and distance to faults, derived from the geological database; landuse/landcover, derived from Landsat satellite images; soil, derived from the soil database; precipitation amount, derived from the rainfall database; and the vegetation index value, derived from SPOT satellite images. In addition, hazard analyses were performed using landslide-occurrence factors with the aid of a statistically based frequency ratio model. Further, landslide risk analysis was carried out using hazard map and socio-economic factors using a geospatial model. This landslide risk map could be used to estimate the risk to population, property and existing infrastructure like transportation networks. Finally, to check the accuracy of the success-rate prediction, the hazard map was validated using the area under curve method. The prediction accuracy of the hazard map was 89%. Based on these results the authors conclude that frequency ratio models can be used to mitigate hazards related to landslides and can aid in land-use planning.     

Using satellite remote sensing for DEM extraction in complex mountainous terrain: Landscape analysis of the Makalu Barun National Park of eastern Nepal

The design and management of national parks and other protected areas requires a broad base of physiographic and geo-ecological information about the landscape. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of satellite remote sensing for photogrammetric stereo-mapping and digital elevation model (DEM) extraction within remote mountainous terrain. As a case study, a landscape analysis of the Makalu Barun National Park and Conservation Area of east Nepal (27.5° N, 87.0° E) was examined. The study area is a highly complex and rugged mountain landscape, with extreme topographic relief and an elevation gradient spanning more than 8300 m. A DEM extracted from stereo SPOT imagery resulted in a median disagreement of 58 m when compared to a DEM generated from a conventionally digitized GIS dataset of topographic contours (scale=1:250 000). Visual comparison of the two DEMs showed substantial agreement at the landscape scale, while larger scale comparison of 100 m contours revealed some localized differences. The SPOT extracted DEM provided equal or better basis for orthorectification of satellite imagery when compared to the conventional DEM. Derivative landscape analysis outputs, such as hydrological modelling, drainage networks and watershed boundaries, compared well with results based upon the conventional dataset. Intermediate map products useful for field research and mapping included production of an orthorectified satellite base-map image. Additionally, a fused multisensor high resolution image of the study area, combining Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and SPOT imagery at 10 m resolution, was orthorectified to produce a false-colour satellite image map highlighting the spectral discrimination between land cover classes.     

A self-trained classification technique for producing 30 m percent-water maps from Landsat data

Small bodies of water can be mapped with moderate-resolution satellite data using methods where water is mapped as subpixel fractions using field measurements or high-resolution images as training datasets. A new method, developed from a regression-tree technique, uses a 30 m Landsat image for training the regression tree that, in turn, is applied to the same image to map subpixel water. The self-trained method was evaluated by comparing the percent-water map with three other maps generated from established percent-water mapping methods: (1) a regression-tree model trained with a 5 m SPOT 5 image, (2) a regression-tree model based on endmembers and (3) a linear unmixing classification technique. The results suggest that subpixel water fractions can be accurately estimated when high-resolution satellite data or intensively interpreted training datasets are not available, which increases our ability to map small water bodies or small changes in lake size at a regional scale.     

Effects of spatial and spectral resolution in estimating ecosystem α-diversity by satellite imagery

Remote sensing represents a powerful tool to derive quantitative and qualitative information about ecosystem biodiversity. In particular, since plant species richness is a fundamental indicator of biodiversity at the community and regional scales, attempts were made to predict species richness (spatial heterogeneity) by means of spectral heterogeneity. The possibility of using spectral variance of satellite images for predicting species richness is known as Spectral Variation Hypothesis. However, when using remotely sensed data, researchers are limited to specific scales of investigation. This paper aims to investigate the effects of scale (both as spatial and spectral resolution) when searching for a relation between spectral and spatial (related to plant species richness) heterogeneity, by using satellite data with different spatial and spectral resolution. Species composition was sampled within square plots of 100 m² nested in macroplots of 10,000 m². Spectral heterogeneity of each macroplot was calculated using satellite images with different spatial and spectral resolution: a Quickbird multispectral image (4 bands, spatial resolution of 3 m), an Aster multispectral image (first 9 bands used, spatial resolution of 15 m for bands 1 to 3 and 30 m for bands 4 to 9), an ortho-Landsat ETM+ multispectral image (bands 1 to 5 and band 7 used; spatial resolution, 30 m), a resampled 60 m Landsat ETM+ image.Quickbird image heterogeneity showed a statistically highly significant correlation with species richness (r = 0.69) while coarse resolution images showed contrasting results (r = 0.43, r = 0.67, and r = 0.69 considering the Aster, Landsat ETM+, and the resampled 60 m Landsat ETM+ images respectively). It should be stressed that spectral variability is scene and sensor dependent. Considering coarser spatial resolution images, in such a case even using SWIR Aster bands (i.e. the additional spectral information with respect to Quickbird image) such an image showed a very low power in catching spectral and thus spatial variability with respect to Landsat ETM+ imagery. Obviously coarser resolution data tend to have mixed pixel problems and hence less sensitive to spatial complexity. Thus, one might argue that using a finer pixel dimension should inevitably result in a higher level of detail. On the other hand, the spectral response from different land-cover features (and thus different species) in images with higher spectral resolution should exhibit higher complexity.Spectral Variation Hypothesis could be a basis for improving sampling designs and strategies for species inventory fieldwork. However, researchers must be aware on scale effects when measuring spectral (and thus spatial) heterogeneity and relating it to field data, hence considering the concept of scale not only related to a spatial framework but even to a spectral one.     

Estimation of tropical forest biomass using Landsat TM imagery and permanent plot data in Xishuangbanna,China

Because of its complexity, it is very difficult to obtain information about distribution of biomass in tropical forests. This article describes the estimation of tropical forest biomass by using Landsat TM and forest plot data in Xishuangbanna, PR China. The method includes several steps. First, the biomass for each forest permanent plot is calculated by using field inventory data. Second, Landsat TM images are geometrically corrected by using topographic maps. Third, a map of the tropical forest is obtained by using data from a variety of sources such as Landsat TM, digital elevation model (DEM), temperature and precipitation layers and expert knowledge. Finally, the biomass and carbon storage of each forest vegetation type in the forest map is calculated by using the tropical forest map and the forest plot biomass GIS database. In the study area, forest area accounts for 57% of the total 1.7?×?10⁶ hectares. The total forest biomass is 2.0?×?10⁸ tonne. It is shown that the forest vegetation map, the forest biomass and the forest carbon storage can be obtained by effectively integrating Landsat TM, ancillary data including DEM, temperature and precipitation, forest permanent plots and knowledge using the method proposed here.     

Perito Moreno Glacier (Argentina) flow estimation by COSMO SkyMed sequence of high-resolution SAR-X imagery

The Perito Moreno Glacier (Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia, Argentina) ice stream has been investigated using X-band SAR amplitude images collected from February to December 2009 (excluding June) at time intervals of 8 and 16 days by the COSMO SkyMed satellites. The high spatial resolution dataset (10 × 10 km swath, 1 m per pixel) reveals many details of the glacier surface and the ice velocity fields extracted from sequential image pairs by the maximum cross-correlation method cover most of the glacier area. The efficiency of the cross-correlation method improves with high spatial resolution imagery and the co-registration error of the image pair also reduces. The glacier motion detected in the period shows variability on the time scale considered, evidencing the areas of higher dynamics under different speed regimes.