Publications of the MOCCA Team

A summary of the most recent publications related to research carried out within the doctoral progamme.

See here for the full list of publications: Publications

• 

  01SEP 2026

  Publications

  Annual changes in firn density and compaction under Alpine Climate conditions

  Our study focused on understanding how a warming climate affects the Aletsch Glacier accumulation area. We used multi-year radar measurements and direct firn‑core analyses to estimate changes in density and compaction rate of snow-to-ice over a year. Our results show that the upper layers of the glacier are changing faster due to stronger summer melt […]Our study focused on understanding how a warming climate affects the Aletsch Glacier accumulation area. We used multi-year radar measurements and direct firn‑core analyses to estimate changes in density and compaction rate of snow-to-ice over a year. Our results show that the upper layers of the glacier are changing faster due to stronger summer melt […]

  Read more about Annual changes in firn density and compaction under Alpine Climate conditions
• 

  22AUG 2026

  Publications

  How surface ice loss boosts permafrost degradation, rockfall activity, and enhances hydrostatic pressure buildup in rock slopes – Unraveling glacier-permafrost interactions driving rock slope failures 

  Our new study explores thermo-hydro-mechanical feedback mechanisms, demonstrating their efficacy in preparing permafrost rock slope failures. Ice aprons (thin, non-flowing surface ice typically found in steep slopes above a cirque glacier) are visible indicators of permafrost. Yet, they are vanishing at high speed in the last few decades. Today’s ice aprons delineate areas that are […]Our new study explores thermo-hydro-mechanical feedback mechanisms, demonstrating their efficacy in preparing permafrost rock slope failures. Ice aprons (thin, non-flowing surface ice typically found in steep slopes above a cirque glacier) are visible indicators of permafrost. Yet, they are vanishing at high speed in the last few decades. Today’s ice aprons delineate areas that are […]

  Read more about How surface ice loss boosts permafrost degradation, rockfall activity, and enhances hydrostatic pressure buildup in rock slopes – Unraveling glacier-permafrost interactions driving rock slope failures 
• 

  20JUL 2026

  Publications

  SNOWstorm – the snow drift sublimation and transport model

  We present a new model to predict near-surface winds and wind-driven transport of snow in mountain regions at high resolutions. With its deep-learning based design, it is several orders of magnitude less computationally expensive compared to traditional numerical methods, while being applicable over a wide range of topographic settings and atmospheric conditions. A first application […]We present a new model to predict near-surface winds and wind-driven transport of snow in mountain regions at high resolutions. With its deep-learning based design, it is several orders of magnitude less computationally expensive compared to traditional numerical methods, while being applicable over a wide range of topographic settings and atmospheric conditions. A first application […]

  Read more about SNOWstorm – the snow drift sublimation and transport model
• 

  26JUN 2026

  Publications

  PhD Research on AI-Based Glacier Monitoring Featured by IEEE Spectrum

  Research from the Pattern Recognition Lab has been featured by IEEE Spectrum, showcasing a new AI-driven approach for large-scale monitoring of glacier change from satellite imagery. Accurate tracking of glacier calving fronts is essential for quantifying ice loss and improving projections of sea level rise. However, traditional monitoring relies on manual delineation in satellite images, […]Research from the Pattern Recognition Lab has been featured by IEEE Spectrum, showcasing a new AI-driven approach for large-scale monitoring of glacier change from satellite imagery. Accurate tracking of glacier calving fronts is essential for quantifying ice loss and improving projections of sea level rise. However, traditional monitoring relies on manual delineation in satellite images, […]

  Read more about PhD Research on AI-Based Glacier Monitoring Featured by IEEE Spectrum
• 

  28JAN 2026

  Publications

  Digital Elevation Models and Orthomosaics of 1989 aerial imagery of the Western Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding islands between 66–68° S

  We present a unique, timestamped, high-resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and orthomosaic dataset, derived from aerial imagery that covers about 12 000 km2 area on the western Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding islands between 66–68° S. We used a film-based aerial image archive from 1989 acquired by the Institut für Angewandte Geodäsie (IfAG), which is kept in the Archive […]We present a unique, timestamped, high-resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and orthomosaic dataset, derived from aerial imagery that covers about 12 000 km2 area on the western Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding islands between 66–68° S. We used a film-based aerial image archive from 1989 acquired by the Institut für Angewandte Geodäsie (IfAG), which is kept in the Archive […]

  Read more about Digital Elevation Models and Orthomosaics of 1989 aerial imagery of the Western Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding islands between 66–68° S
• 

  04NOV 2025

  Publications

  IceAnatomy: a benchmark dataset and methodology for automatic ice boundary extraction from radio-echo sounding data

  Understanding how glaciers are changing is key to predicting future sea-level rise and the impacts of climate change. To do this, we need to know how thick the ice is and what the ground looks like underneath. Traditionally, this information comes from radar measurements that show cross-sections of glaciers but analyzing these images by hand […]Understanding how glaciers are changing is key to predicting future sea-level rise and the impacts of climate change. To do this, we need to know how thick the ice is and what the ground looks like underneath. Traditionally, this information comes from radar measurements that show cross-sections of glaciers but analyzing these images by hand […]

  Read more about IceAnatomy: a benchmark dataset and methodology for automatic ice boundary extraction from radio-echo sounding data
• 

  21OCT 2025

  Publications

  A Kalman filter-based framework for assimilating remote sensing observations into a surface mass balance model

  This study introduces a custom implementation of the Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) for calibrating a three-dimensional glacier evolution model. The EnKF can assimilate observations as they become available and provides uncertainty measures for the initial state after calibration. We calibrate an elevation-dependent surface mass balance (SMB) model using elevation change observations and test the EnKF’s […]This study introduces a custom implementation of the Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) for calibrating a three-dimensional glacier evolution model. The EnKF can assimilate observations as they become available and provides uncertainty measures for the initial state after calibration. We calibrate an elevation-dependent surface mass balance (SMB) model using elevation change observations and test the EnKF’s […]

  Read more about A Kalman filter-based framework for assimilating remote sensing observations into a surface mass balance model
• 

  12AUG 2025

  Allgemein

  The State and Fate of Glaciar Perito Moreno

  The Perito Moreno Glacier, a 30 km long outlet of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in Argentina, has been considered unusually stable among Patagonian glaciers, exhibiting almost no retreat between 2000 and 2019. In this paper we present our findings of an acceleration in ice loss since 2019, with retreat exceeding 800 m in some […]The Perito Moreno Glacier, a 30 km long outlet of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in Argentina, has been considered unusually stable among Patagonian glaciers, exhibiting almost no retreat between 2000 and 2019. In this paper we present our findings of an acceleration in ice loss since 2019, with retreat exceeding 800 m in some […]

  Read more about The State and Fate of Glaciar Perito Moreno
• 

  10AUG 2025

  Allgemein

  From Sea to Summit: Investigating the Explicit Role of SST Increase for Regional and High-Altitude Climates in New Zealand

  The oceans around New Zealand are warming much faster than the global average, affecting the region’s climate. Mountain regions like the Southern Alps are particularly sensitive, as small shifts in temperature and precipitation strongly influence glaciers, ecosystems, and water supply. To isolate the role of ocean warming, this study uses an atmospheric model to simulate […]The oceans around New Zealand are warming much faster than the global average, affecting the region’s climate. Mountain regions like the Southern Alps are particularly sensitive, as small shifts in temperature and precipitation strongly influence glaciers, ecosystems, and water supply. To isolate the role of ocean warming, this study uses an atmospheric model to simulate […]

  Read more about From Sea to Summit: Investigating the Explicit Role of SST Increase for Regional and High-Altitude Climates in New Zealand
• 

  06JUN 2025

  Allgemein

  Climate’s firm grip on glacier ablation in the Cordillera Darwin Icefield, Tierra del Fuego

  The Cordillera Darwin Icefield (CDI) in Tierra del Fuego is one of the largest temperate ice bodies in the Southern Hemisphere. In this study, we simulate the climatic energy and mass balance of its glaciers (2000–2023), which are sensitive indicators of climatic changes in the Southern Hemisphere’s higher mid-latitudes. Year-round westerly winds cause strong climatic […]The Cordillera Darwin Icefield (CDI) in Tierra del Fuego is one of the largest temperate ice bodies in the Southern Hemisphere. In this study, we simulate the climatic energy and mass balance of its glaciers (2000–2023), which are sensitive indicators of climatic changes in the Southern Hemisphere’s higher mid-latitudes. Year-round westerly winds cause strong climatic […]

  Read more about Climate’s firm grip on glacier ablation in the Cordillera Darwin Icefield, Tierra del Fuego
• 

  17MAR 2025

  Publications

  Glaciers are melting rapidly – new ESA study demonstrates dramatic developments

  The glaciers in the world’s high mountain regions are important freshwater reservoirs, providing resources for drinking water, irrigation and hydropower. However, as a result of climate change, they are melting dramatically and causing sea levels to rise. This has been confirmed by a new international study, in which three researchers from the Institute of Geography […]The glaciers in the world’s high mountain regions are important freshwater reservoirs, providing resources for drinking water, irrigation and hydropower. However, as a result of climate change, they are melting dramatically and causing sea levels to rise. This has been confirmed by a new international study, in which three researchers from the Institute of Geography […]

  Read more about Glaciers are melting rapidly – new ESA study demonstrates dramatic developments
• 

  21JAN 2025

  Publications

  New Publication out now revealing how interactions of glacier, permafrost, and hydrogeology trigger massive rock slope failures situated in the cryosphere

  Do you wonder what mechanism caused the massive rock avalanche at Piz Scerscen (Bernina, CH) in spring 2024 (link to DAV-report)? Read the paper: >here<. Felix Pfluger (TUM, funded by M³OCCA) and colleagues investigated glacier changes, conducted fieldwork on permafrost at 3200 m asl, rock mechanical laboratory studies (Joseph Steinhauser as part of his Bachelor […]Do you wonder what mechanism caused the massive rock avalanche at Piz Scerscen (Bernina, CH) in spring 2024 (link to DAV-report)? Read the paper: >here<. Felix Pfluger (TUM, funded by M³OCCA) and colleagues investigated glacier changes, conducted fieldwork on permafrost at 3200 m asl, rock mechanical laboratory studies (Joseph Steinhauser as part of his Bachelor […]

  Read more about New Publication out now revealing how interactions of glacier, permafrost, and hydrogeology trigger massive rock slope failures situated in the cryosphere