Machine Learning for Glacier Monitoring in the Hindu Kush Himalaya
Shimaa Baraka, Benjamin Akera, Bibek Aryal, Tenzing Sherpa, Finu Shresta, Anthony Ortiz, Kris Sankaran, Juan Lavista Ferres, Mir Matin, Yoshua Bengio
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- github.com/krisrs1128/glacier_mappingOfficialIn paperpytorch★ 43
Abstract
Glacier mapping is key to ecological monitoring in the hkh region. Climate change poses a risk to individuals whose livelihoods depend on the health of glacier ecosystems. In this work, we present a machine learning based approach to support ecological monitoring, with a focus on glaciers. Our approach is based on semi-automated mapping from satellite images. We utilize readily available remote sensing data to create a model to identify and outline both clean ice and debris-covered glaciers from satellite imagery. We also release data and develop a web tool that allows experts to visualize and correct model predictions, with the ultimate aim of accelerating the glacier mapping process.