ICESat Antarctic elevation data: Preliminary precision and accuracy assessment

Abstract

Since ‘first light’ on February 20th, 2003, NASA's Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) has derived surface elevations from ∼86°N to 86°S latitude. These unique altimetry data have been acquired in a series of observation periods in repeated track patterns using all three Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) lasers. Here, we focus on Antarctic ice sheet elevation data that were obtained in 2003–2004. We present preliminary precision and accuracy assessments of selected elevation data, and discuss factors impacting elevation change detection. We show that for low slope and clear sky conditions, the precision of GLA12 Laser 2a, Release 21 data is ∼2.1 cm and the relative accuracy of ICESat elevations is ±14 cm based on crossover differences.