Spatial analysis of supraglacial debris cover in Svalbard, Arctic Region-a decadal study

Continental glacier melts directly influence the environment, resulting in sea-level rise affecting the settlements along the coast. The increase in global warming and constant change in the glacier mass grabbed the attention of researchers in understanding the evolution and distribution of glaciers. Despite the increase in the number of glacier studies, the difficulty is experienced by the researchers in understanding the supra-glacial debris cover and its characteristics. Supraglacial debris cover affects surface melt by increasing and decreasing ablation under thin and thick debris cover. In the present study, estimation of supraglacial debris cover (SDC) over Austre Brøggerbreen and Vestre Brøggerbreen glaciers of Ny-Ålesund is carried out with the aid of Landsat 5/7/8 datasets between 2000 and 2020. Supraglacial debris-cover is mapped using NDSI and band ratio techniques based on thresholding and it is estimated that Austre Brøggerbreen and Vestre Brøggerbreen glaciers are covered by 7.29% and 15.19% of SDC respectively. Results obtained are validated by a field visit to Arctic glacier, which is the first of its kind enhancing India's scientific credentials in Polar research.