A photogrammetric digital elevation model of the Bødalen valley saw-tooth moraine complex, Western Norway

Abstract

Thorough geomorphological and geophysical investigations rely on high quality digital elevation models (DEM). Many areas in the developed world are covered by DEMs through national ordnance surveys or similar organizations. However, these DEMs are often of quite low resolution and do not allow detailed geomorphological investigations. One way to overcome this problem is to photogrammetically generate a bespoke DEM based on aerial photographs and ground control points. The glacier foreland of the Bødalsbreen glacier, emanating from the Jostedalsbreen ice field in western Norway, is characterized by a set of distinct and morphologically interesting moraine ridges. Existing topographic data of the valley was not of sufficient quality for detailed investigations. We therefore constructed a photogrammetric DEM covering the glacier foreland. The resulting map is presented in this paper (Map A) and it is our hope that it will be used for further studies on glacial geomorphology in the area.