Currently there is a general consensus that the Earth's average temperature is increasing. Glaciers are key indicators of climatic changes as they show an enhanced and well recognisable reaction to even small climatic fluctuations. One of the consequences of global warming is the rising of global mean average sea level which mainly results from melt water from glaciers, ice sheets, ice caps, icebergs, and sea ice. In Europe several glaciers have completely disappeared as a result from higher temperatures. Receding glaciers can cause massive flooding and affect stream flow and temperature of mountainous sheds which in turn affects habitats of various flora and fauna species. Glacier- and permafrost-related hazards such as glacier floods and avalanches represent a continuous threat to human lives and infrastructure. Disasters associated with the glacial and periglacial environment can cause thousands of casualties and massive economic loss in one event. The effects of climate change are being investigated on a global scale. Satellite remote sensing proves to be a very valuable technology in the attempt to understand the impact of melting glaciers. Various remote sensors operating in different spectral regions (visible, infrared, microwave) have been widely used to study parameters such as ice thickness, surface ice velocities, and changes in surface elevation over time. |