DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH-RESOLUTION DIGITAL ELEVATION MAP FOR GLACIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY APPLICATIONS USING AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE IN THE EASTERN SIERRA NEVADA, CA

Tightly constrained numerical glacial chronologies are vital to the understanding of past climates in alpine environments. Field and map-based interpretations of the geomorphic relations of these moraines are necessary to ensure the chronologies are correctly interpreted. However, the coarse (10 meter) resolution of readily available digital elevation models (DEMs) and the complexity of landforms often present a challenge for geomorphic interpretation. Here, we explore the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the Convict Lake region of the western Great Basin to develop a sub-meter scale DEM of approximately 20 last glacial maximum terminal moraines. The use of a UAV to generate such DEMs represents a potentially useful and cost-effective method for smaller (<10km²) study areas versus traditional techniques such as aerial or ground-based LiDAR studies. We present preliminary mapping results and suggestions for improving the feasibility and implementation of future geomorphic studies using UAVs.