First results of airborne laser scanning technology as a tool for the quantification of glacier mass balance

In this study airborne laser scanning technology is introduced as a tool for glaciological applica-tions. The method is described with its advantages and limitations and applications in glaciology in recent years and their results are mentioned. Data from a laser scanner flight at Hintereisferner are presented. Due to the dense coverage with data points the results demonstrate the potential for building accurate high-quality DEMs for the whole area of a glacier. The possibilities of multitem-poral use of laser scanner techniques are discussed. This technology enables to quantify changes of glaciers both in area and volume and, therefore, raises expectations that it may be used as an inde-pendent method for glacier mass balance measurements. Future work is outlined