Least Squares Method Used in Reduction of Data From Theodolite Measurements on Fast Moving Glaciers

Abstract

A statistical method to determine surface velocities from theodolite measurements is described. The method assumes that the measuring points move according to a model and the model parameters are estimated directly from the directional observations. Observations from two fixed points need not be simultaneous, which is an advantage in the case of fast moving glaciers. The method is practised on data from the Daugaard-Jensen glacier, in East Greenland, where the motion of the measuring points is calculated to the accuracy of the directional observations.