Analysis of ICESat data using Kalman filter and kriging to study height changes in East Antarctica

Abstract

We analyze ICESat derived heights collected between Feb.03-Nov.04 using a kriging/Kalman filtering approach to investigate height changes in East Antarctica. The model's parameters are height change to an a priori static digital height model, seasonal signal expressed as an amplitude B and phase χ, and height-change rate dh/dt for each (100 km)2 block. From the Kalman filter results, dh/dt has a mean of -0.06 m/yr in the flat interior of East Antarctica. Spatially correlated pointing errors in the current data releases give uncertainties in the range 0.06 m/yr, making height change detection unreliable at this time. Our test shows that when using all available data with pointing knowledge equivalent to that of Laser 2a, height change detection with an accuracy level 0.02 m/yr can be achieved over flat terrains in East Antarctica. Copyright 2005 by the American Geophysical Union.