Remote Sensing in Mountain Environments

Dr. Colby is continuing research efforts into developing anisotropic reflectance correction models for multi-spectral satellite imagery in mountainous terrain. Anistotropic reflectance correction refers to removing the differential illumination effects found in satellite imagery in the mountains. This research has been undertaken in the Rocky Mountains, in tropical montane areas of Central and South America, and in the Himalayas. In support of the international Global Land Ice Monitoring from Space Program (GLIMS), students in the Department of Geography and Planning have also assisted in the development of methods for detecting transient snow altitude (TSA) using ASTER satellite data in the Hindu Kush and Karakorum Mountain range of northern Pakistan. 

Colby fieldwork3-D view of Hindu Kush