Updated grounding line of Thwaites Glacier using high resolution tanDEM-X digital elevation model

Grounding line estimation has substantial importance of determining vulnerability of ice mass in the Polar Regions. In this study, high resolution digital elevation model is utilized to estimate and update grounding line of Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica in 2011. Estimation is done by comparing the calculated bottom topography of ice with the bathymetry model from Operation IceBridge. The bottom topography is computed by subtracting ice thickness which is also estimated from surface elevation assuming hydrostatic equilibrium. The updated grounding line infers its retreat of up to 5km inland when compared with the grounding line in 2009. The retreat is conspicuous over the bathymetric trough. Conceivable error sources are still present such as ice column density, bathymetry accuracy and firn height. Nonetheless, high resolution digital elevation model shows high practicability of estimating grounding line.