Review of SAR imaging geodesy for glacier velocity monitoring

The surface velocity is one of the most important characteristics of glaciers. Monitoring and mapping glacier movements are of great significance for the studies of sea-level rise, glacier mass balance and dynamics, global warming, and the management of freshwater resources. It is also essential for the early warnings of hazards caused by ice avalanches. SAR imaging geodesy has been developed for measuring glacier velocity, especially the pixel-offset tracking method. This paper introduces some basic concepts of glaciology and principles of various SAR imaging geodesy methods, with a detailed presentation about the developments in the applications of the pixel-offset tracking method. Finally, the challenges and future prospects of SAR imaging geodesy in glacier monitoring are discussed.