Datasets

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Seabed mapping, Belcher terminus
The CCGS Amundsen conducted seabed mapping in the terminus region of the Belcher Glacier in September of 2006 and 2007, using swath bathymetry, sub-bottom profiling, and sidescan sonar. They also collected CTD profiles of the water column in front of the glacier.

Time lapse imagery for 2006-2007 and 2008
Six time lapse cameras were installed along the glacier margins in spring 2006 to monitor seasonal development of surface drainage, and calving processes at the terminus, during the summers of 2006-2008.

Surface hydrology data
Channel stage and water chemisty (electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen content, pH and temperature) were monitored continuously at three automated hydrologic stations, while a fourth station monitored supraglacial lake depth and electrical conductivity. Bathymetry of supraglacial lakes was mapped using a Piranha depth sonar mounted on a boat at waypoints recorded by a handheld GPS receiver. Lake marginal extent at various levels (stages) was also surveyed with the handheld GPS to obtain estimates of lake volume throughout the melt season. Lake margins and drainage networks were manually mapped for the entire glacier based on a SPOT5 image (5 m resolution) from August 2007.

Ice velocity from GPS sensors for 2007 and 2008
10 wireless GPS sensors were installed along the glacier centreline in 2007, as well as two Trimble R7s.

Ice velocity from remote sensing
Surface velocity data is determined for the Belcher Glacier, using interferometric, speckle tracking and feature tracking analysis of Radarsat-2 and ENVISAT ASAR data collected in 2008 & 2009. These velocities are checked against field measurements from May 2008 of all main tributary glaciers in the ablation area of the Belcher Glacier.

Automatic weather station data 2006-07 and 2008
One automated weather station (AWS) and ten HOBO temperature sensors were installed on the glacier in 2007, in addition to the AWS installed on the glacier in 2006. Real time data are available from the summit station online. Two additional AWS were installed on the glacier in 2008 in the ablation and accumulation zones, for the purposes of energy balance modelling.

Ice thickness
165 km of combined GPR/GPS track were surveyed in 2007: one long profile, twelve cross profiles and eight along tributary glaciers. These data are currently being analysed to assess ice thickness and bed topography. Subsequent combined GPR/GPS track was surveyed in 2008 in the ablation area of the Belcher Glacier. These data are also under analysis.

Snow accumulation patterns
Snow depths for 2007-2008, together with long-term snow accumulation rates since 1963, were derived for the accumulation area of the Belcher Glacier using GPR, shallow ice coring, and manual measurements.

Surface and bedrock topography
Digital elevation models (DEMs) for the surface and bedrock topography of the Belcher Glacier have been developed using SPOT5 HRS and Landsat 7 ETM+ images, bathymetric information, and airborne and surface-based ground penetrating radar soundings with coincident GPS surface elevation records. An ice thickness map has also been produced from the DEMs. These will be used in mass balance studies, ice dynamics modelling and hydrologic modelling.

Tide simulations
Simulations of tidal variations at the Belcher terminus were conducted using WebTide, a Java program developed by the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and validated with real-time tide logger data. These will be incorporated into studies of terminus calving and ice dynamics.