Blue-Ice Extraction and Classification in Antarctica Using MOA Images

Using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Mosaic of Antarctica (MOA) images, areas of Antarctic blue ice were extracted and classified based on the grayscale threshold value of Band 1 MODIS images and the threshold of the surface snow grain size in Band 1 and Band 2 MODIS images. The MOA-based blue-ice area extraction method was verified by tests in blue-ice areas on Grove Mountains, and the MOA-based blue-ice classification method was verified by tests on Queen Maud Land. Highly reliable Antarctic blue-ice distribution maps were obtained in this study, and the blue-ice extent in Antarctica is 188,857-226,628 km(2).