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Review

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technology for Glaciology Research in the Third Pole

by
Chuanxi Zhao
1,
Shengyu Kang
2,*,
Yihan Fan
3,
Yongjie Wang
4,
Zhen He
4,5,
Zhaoqi Tan
1,
Yifei Gao
1,
Tianzhao Zhang
4,5,
Yifei He
4,5 and
Yu Fan
4,5
1
School of Water Conservancy and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan 250001, China
2
State Key Laboratory of Water Resources Engineering and Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
3
Shandong Hydrology and Water Resources Bureau, Yellow River Conservancy Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources (YRCC), Jinan 250100, China
4
State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
5
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Drones 2025, 9(4), 254; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones9040254
Submission received: 7 February 2025 / Revised: 24 March 2025 / Accepted: 25 March 2025 / Published: 27 March 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drones in Hydrological Research and Management)
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Abstract

The Third Pole region contains vast glaciers, and changes in these glaciers profoundly affect the lives and development of billions of people. Therefore, accurate glacier monitoring in this region is of great scientific and practical significance. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) provide high-resolution observation capabilities and flexible deployment options, effectively overcoming certain limitations associated with traditional in situ and satellite remote sensing observations. Thus, UAV technology is increasingly gaining traction and application in the glaciology community. This review systematically analyzed studies involving UAV technology in Third Pole glaciology research and determined that relevant studies have been performed for a decade (2014–2024). Notably, after 2020, the number of relevant manuscripts has increased significantly. Research activities are biased toward the use of rotary-wing UAVs (63%) and ground control point (GCP) correction methods (67%). Additionally, there is strong emphasis on analyzing glacier surface elevation, surface velocity, and landform evolution. These activities are primarily concentrated in the Himalayan region, with relatively less research being conducted in the western and central areas. UAV technology has significantly contributed to glaciology research in the Third Pole region and holds great potential to enhance the monitoring capabilities in future studies.

1. Introduction

The Third Pole region is a high-mountain area centered on the Tibetan Plateau, primarily comprising the Himalayas, the Karakoram, and adjacent mountain ranges, with a total area of approximately 5 million square kilometers. The region contains extensive glaciers known as “solid state reservoirs” or “Asia water towers” [1,2]. These glaciers serve as crucial water reserves for regional ecosystems and directly sustain the survival and sustainable development of over three billion individuals [3]. Glacier changes in the Third Pole region have gained significant attention in scientific research [4,5,6,7,8,9,10]. The glacier dynamics in this region significantly influence regional water management, making effective glacier monitoring in the Third Pole region a practical necessity that is of considerable scientific importance.
Traditional in situ and satellite remote sensing observations are the primary methods for monitoring glacier changes in the Third Pole region. However, both of these approaches have inherent limitations. In glaciology research, several field methods, such as stakes, have been considered representative in situ methods for measuring surface accumulation and melting directly [11]. Yet deploying stakes in glacial areas presents numerous challenges due to the harsh environments and complex terrain. Moreover, stake observations are typically limited to single-point measurements, often lacking spatial representativeness. Satellite remote sensing has become an important tool for glaciology research because of its wide coverage and continuous monitoring capabilities [12], which can effectively overcome some disadvantages of the traditional in situ methods and provide a broader understanding of glacier changes. Nevertheless, satellite remote sensing data still face challenges regarding their spatial–temporal resolution, limiting the capacity for detailed observations of glacier changes. This approach also offers the advantage of acquiring extensive data, facilitating an analysis of glacier changes at regional and global scales. However, satellite remote sensing data still possess limitations with regard to their spatial–temporal resolution, which restricts detailed observations of glacier changes. With the ongoing advancement of technology, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have ben recognized for their rapid deployment, flexible maneuverability, and high-resolution data collection capabilities [13]. Over the past decade, UAVs have been extensively utilized in various aspects of geoscience, including high-resolution topography to investigate earthquakes and volcano monitoring [14,15], landslide and rockfall monitoring and analyses in different context areas [16,17], glacier monitoring [18], and climate change studies [19]. Their widespread adoption in geographical research, including cryospheric regions, has proven effective in overcoming certain limitations of traditional in situ observation methods and satellite remote sensing [20,21,22]. Owing to the significant role of glaciers in the Third Pole region and the difficulties associated with in situ and remote sensing observations in this area, UAVs have emerged as a significant tool for glacier change research. To date, no comprehensive review has specifically focused on the application of UAV technology in the context of glaciology research in the Third Pole region. Therefore, this review aims to elucidate the advancements in the application of UAVs in glaciology research in the Third Pole region while also exploring the future prospects of UAV utilization within this critical scientific domain.

2. Method

2.1. The Eligibility Criteria

This review followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses [23,24] and only included articles on the application of UAV technology in glaciology research in the Third Pole region. To meet the inclusion criteria, articles had to (1) be original and peer-reviewed, (2) possess an article type, (3) have been published in an academic journal or full-text conference proceedings, and (4) have been published by 31 August 2024.

2.2. The Data Sources and Search Strategy

To ensure comprehensive coverage of relevant articles, two widely recognized academic databases were selected. First, Web of Science, one of the most globally renowned databases for indexing scholarly literature across diverse fields, was chosen as the primary source owing to its extensive use in academic reviews [24]. Additionally, Google Scholar, a search platform widely used to access academic manuscripts, was included to minimize the risk of missing relevant articles. The search strategy began with a systematic query in Web of Science using a combination of keywords. The search was conducted as a “Topic Search (TS)”, encompassing titles, abstracts, keywords, and keywords plus, with all of the other search settings left in their default configurations. The search covered literature works published by 31 August 2024. The details of our settings in Web of Science were as follows: ((TS = (UAV)) OR (TS = (Tibetan Plateau)) OR (TS = (glacier)); ((TS = (drone)) OR (TS = (Tibetan Plateau)) OR (TS = (glacier)); ((TS = (UAV)) OR (TS = (Third Pole)) OR (TS = (glacier)); ((TS = (drone)) OR (TS = (Third Pole)) OR (TS = (glacier)); ((TS = (UAV)) OR (TS = (Himalaya)) OR (TS = (glacier)); ((TS = (drone)) OR (TS = (Himalaya)) OR (TS = (glacier)); ((TS = (UAV)) OR (TS = (High Mountain Asia)) OR (TS = (glacier)); ((TS = (drone)) OR (TS = (High Mountain Asia)) OR (TS = (glacier)). In Google Scholar, a search strategy similar to that used in Web of Science was used to integrate and complement the results from Web of Science. A total of 92 articles were obtained based on the above-mentioned approaches, and the abstracts of all of the articles were filtered based on the “eligibility criteria”. For articles that could not be qualified based on the information in their abstracts, we examined the full text of these articles to determine their eligibility. After screening, 57 articles were included in this review, which largely reflected the current status and history of UAV technology in glaciology research in the Third Pole.
After selecting these 57 articles, a systematic content analysis was conducted to assess the methodologies, findings, and contributions of each study. Specifically, we focused on several key aspects of the articles: (1) the type of UAV technology used, revealing a dominance of rotary-wing UAVs (63%) over fixed-wing types; (2) the specific applications of UAVs in glaciology, which predominantly centered on studying glacier thickness changes, glacier surface velocity, and glacier geomorphological features; (3) the integration with other remote sensing data, noting the prevalent use of ground control points (GCPs) for data correction in 67% of the studies; and (4) the spatial and temporal coverage of the studies. Additionally, we identified the trends in the types of glaciers studied, observing a concentration of research in the Himalayan region, with less attention given to western and central Third Pole areas, and a slight preference for debris-free glaciers (55%) and continental glaciers (64%) in the research focus. This analysis allowed us to synthesize the current state of UAV applications in Third Pole glaciology and provided a foundation for discussing future research directions.

3. Results

3.1. Publications’ Characteristics

According to the publication categories, journal papers accounted for the majority of the articles (56/57), with only one conference paper being used [25]. Among the journal articles, 49 were published in English, and 7 were published in Chinese [26,27,28,29,30,31]. Regarding the publication dates, the article that first applied UAV technology to glacier-related research in the Third Pole region was published in 2014 [32]. Overall, there were relatively few studies before 2020, accounting for only 18% of the total number of publications (Figure 1). After 2020, there was a sudden increase in publications in this research area, with the number of publications in the last 5 years accounting for 82% of the total publications in the last 10 years. The reason for concentrating on post-2020 publications is mainly due to continuous advances in UAV technology and the richer experience for later scholars in glacier monitoring based on UAV technology.
Over the 10 years of UAV monitoring research (2014–2024), approximately 70% of the relevant research articles were published from countries in the Third Pole region (where the primary affiliation was located), while 30% were not led by Third Pole countries. Notably, in the first five years (2014–2019), 90% of the studies were led by non-Third Pole countries. After 2020 (in the last five years), Third Pole countries emerged as the leading contributors of relevant studies, accounting for 80% of publications. These results are presented in Figure 2, and the basic information on the 57 relevant manuscripts used in this study is presented in Table 1.

3.2. Glacier Monitoring

This section provides an overview focusing on the UAV monitoring methods and output (Figure 3). Glacier monitoring refers to the systematic observation and assessment of glacier dynamics, including but not limited to surface elevation changes, the flow velocity, and the landform evolution. Most studies in this area are based on optical images acquired using UAV surveys, and digital elevation models and orthophotos are acquired after an economical UAV-SfM approach [81,82]. For UAVs equipped with LiDAR, point cloud data can be acquired based on laser scanning. All relevant studies present glacier changes based on post-processed data (DSM, Ortho, and point cloud data).
The UAVs applied in relevant studies are broadly categorized into two types (Figure 4): rotary-wing UAVs and fixed-wing UAVs. Rotary-wing UAVs exhibit flexible flight maneuvers and low operating space requirements. It is easy for this UAV type to take off, land, and hover vertically. Fixed-wing UAVs typically exhibit longer flight endurance and greater coverage with a high survey efficiency. In glaciology research in the Third Pole, rotary-wing UAVs accounted for 63% of the studies, fixed-wing UAVs accounted for 31%, and 6% of the studies utilized both modes. Overall, rotary-wing UAVs are most widely used, with DJI being the most commonly used brand.
The accuracy of the spatial locations in the survey data is essential, and there are three commonly used methods: ground control points (GCPs), real-time kinematics (RTKs), and post-processing kinematics (PPKs). GCPs are coordinate points that are pre-placed and mapped in advance on the surface of the survey area. These GCPs are used to correct the survey images and improve the overall accuracy of the UAV-derived output [83,84]. In glaciology research in the Third Pole region, GCPs were the most commonly used method, accounting for 67% of the studies, followed by RTKs for 31%, and PPKs for slightly less than 10% [29,42] (Figure 5 and Figure 6). RTK UAVs, which rely on a real-time data connection between a base station and a receiver on the UAV, provide a centimeter-level positioning accuracy [85]. The RTK base station sends correction data to the UAV in real time, offering direct access to high-precision observations without additional post-processing steps [86]. However, this method requires a constant connection between the base station and the UAV. PPKs is the post-processing data correction performed after a mission [87]. During the mission, the PPK method utilizes two separate antennas: one mounted onto the UAV and the other positioned on the ground as a base station. Both antennas simultaneously collect raw satellite data, regardless of their relative positions. The recorded data are then processed using differential correction methods in the post-processing phase, enabling positioning accuracies below 5 cm, even without the use of GCPs [88,89].

3.3. Glaciology Research

Based on post-processed UAV data (DEM, orthophoto, and point cloud data), researchers have primarily focused on studying changes in glacier thickness, glaciers’ surface velocity, and glaciers’ geomorphological features. Immerzeel et al. [32] were pioneers in utilizing UAV technology to investigate glacier changes in the Third Pole region using UAV technology (Figure 7), thereby providing a more complete research paradigm in this area. Subsequent researchers have advanced the application of UAVs by deriving glaciers’ surface mass through ice-flow corrections based on glacier thickness and velocity data [33,37,75,79]. Researchers have also quantified the ablation contribution ratios for ice cliffs and pond areas by extracting their surface mass balance. These efforts have expanded the application of UAV surveying to glacier change monitoring across the Third Pole region [33,37,66,75,76,79].
Figure 8 presents the spatial distribution of the related research in the Third Pole region, revealing the geographical preferences and hotspots of current studies. Overall, research activities are predominantly concentrated in the Himalayan region, probably because of its rich glacier resources and well-established foundations for glaciological studies. In contrast, the western and central parts of the Third Pole region have received comparatively less attention and are potentially constrained by challenging topographic conditions and limited accessibility. A review of the literature revealed that the Lirung Glacier in Nepal is the most extensively studied area, with seven published articles focusing on this region [32,34,35,38,39,40,57], followed by six studies on Urumqi Glacier No. 1 [46,56,65,68,78], five studies on the Parlung No. 4 Glacier [29,42,64,67,79], three studies on the Hailuogou Glacier [54,62,70], three studies on the 24K Glacier [66,75,79], and others. The main reason for the concentration of studies in the Himalayan region is that besides the extensive development of glaciers in this region, there is also a better basis for glacier studies in this region.
We also analyzed the glacier types across all of the reviewed studies (Figure 9). The results indicate that 55% of the published articles focused on debris-free glaciers, which was slightly higher than the proportion of debris-covered glaciers (45%). Among these observed glaciers, continental glaciers account for 64%, while maritime glaciers account for only 36%, which is lower than the proportion of studies focusing on continental glaciers.

4. Discussion

4.1. Trends in UAV Technology for Glaciology Research

The application of UAV technology has become an invaluable tool for advancing cryosphere research and has also gained widespread attention and application in the Third Pole region in the past decade. Early relevant papers focused on glacier thinning and velocity and the evolution of landforms. Immerzeel et al. [32] pioneered UAV applications for glaciological studies on the Lirung Glacier (Nepal), revealing insights into the glacier’s thinning, surface velocity, and geomorphological features. Vincent et al. [33] developed a method that incorporated ice-flow corrections to derive more detailed information regarding the glacier’s surface mass balance using thinning and velocity results. These innovations have enabled more precise quantitative analyses, thereby enhancing our understanding of glacier responses to climate change.
Concurrently, the study of debris-covered glaciers has emerged as a significant focus in the glaciology community [90,91,92,93,94,95]. As debris-covered glaciers typically exhibit complex micro-geomorphic features on their surfaces, such as ice cliffs and ponds, high-precision UAV data have become necessary to capture their ablation characteristics. Based on UAV-derived surface mass balance data, researchers have confirmed that the ablation rates of ice cliffs and pond areas are significantly higher than those for debris-covered areas [33,37,75], thereby emphasizing the importance of “hotspots” (ice cliffs and ponds) to changes to debris-covered glaciers. Additionally, UAV technology has served as a key supportive tool in glacier studies [38] since 2018, marking a significant shift in the research trends. Recent studies have reflected a transition from isolated observational research to the integrated application of UAV data (see Figure 10). Therefore, UAV technology is driving new research perspectives and advancing glaciology research, offering essential tools and data support for accurate monitoring and a deeper understanding of glacier dynamics. The assimilation of data from multiple sources, including drone data, will be important in the future.

4.2. The Future Potential of UAV Technology for Glaciology Research

Systematic observations using UAV surveys have also been conducted in other glaciated regions worldwide. Compared to glaciology research in the Third Pole region, studies in other areas have incorporated thermal infrared cameras mounted onto UAVs to estimate the debris thickness [96,97]. Combined with the energy balance model and UAV-derived surface mass balance results, Westoby et al. [98] inverted the spatial distribution of the debris thickness on the Miage Glacier (Italy). A few researchers have utilized GPR radar on UAVs to observe the ice thickness of glaciers in other regions [99,100]. Although some of these studies were not of the Third Pole region, they have still been successful cases of conducting glaciology research based on UAV technology [82,101,102]. Therefore, they provide strong portability and operability for the Third Pole region. In addition to traditional optical cameras, sensors of different wavelengths, such as multispectral cameras [103], hyperspectral cameras [104], and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) [105], have become the payloads in other research areas (non-cryospheric studies).
Due to most of the related studies having focused on the tongue or the lower part of each glacier, it is still challenging to accurately understand the change process for an entire glacier, which represents one of the biggest shortcomings of UAV-based glacier monitoring. This problem is primarily because of the limitation of UAVs’ battery power, which restricts the study duration and survey area. It is also worth mentioning that the cold temperatures at high altitudes can reduce battery efficiency. In the future, advancements in battery technology are expected to expand the range of the survey areas, thereby improving the efficiency and comprehensiveness of UAV monitoring. Improvements in the sensor-systems are also anticipated, including the development of higher-resolution and multispectral sensors that can capture more detailed image data, thereby enhancing the data quality and enriching these research areas [106,107,108]. Enhanced real-time data processing capabilities will also enable researchers to view and analyze data on site instantly, facilitating quicker decision-making through faster data transmission speeds and enhanced processing. Additionally, UAVs will achieve greater automation in path planning, data acquisition, and processing with the development of artificial intelligence (AI), reducing the reliance on manual operations and enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of UAV surveys. In addition, the thin air and extreme weather conditions at a high altitude can make stable flight operations challenging, and these problems should also be addressed in the future.
Therefore, research approaches and elements that have been used in other glaciated regions of the world but have not yet been applied in the Third Pole region are highly feasible for short-term adoption. Similarly, research approaches and elements that have been applied in other research areas but not in the cryosphere (including Third Pole glaciers) can also be relatively operational in the near term. However, a portion of the research potential relies on various technological developments, which may require a relatively long-term process to achieve. Despite this potential, future UAV-based glaciology research in the Third Pole region also faces limitations. For instance, the inherent constraints of UAVs’ battery life currently restrict comprehensive surveys of entire glacier systems, often necessitating a focus on glaciers’ tongues or lower parts. Furthermore, the challenging high-altitude and harsh weather conditions prevalent in the Third Pole pose operational difficulties for UAV deployment and data acquisition. Future research should prioritize addressing these limitations while focusing on key areas such as employing advanced sensors like Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) and thermal infrared cameras for debris and ice thickness measurements and developing methodologies for whole-glacier monitoring [109,110]. Other challenges include enhancing the data processing workflows for the large datasets acquired and ensuring data accuracy and reliability under extreme environmental conditions. The use of UAV technology holds significant potential for future glaciology research in the Third Pole region, which will greatly enhances our understanding of the mechanisms of changes in these “Asian Water Towers”.

5. Conclusions

From 2014 to 2024, UAV technology has played an important role in glacier monitoring across the Third Pole region. In this review, we systematically investigated relevant articles that have been published to date, explored the basic features of the existing research, and discussed the research trends in this field. The main conclusions are as follows:
(1)
A total of 57 articles in the related research area were published between 2014 and 2024. After 2020, the number of studies increased dramatically, with 82% of these publications emerging in the last five years. Research from Third Pole region countries accounted for nearly 70% over the past decade, while non-Third Pole countries contributed 30%. Since 2020, Third Pole countries have become the dominant contributors to this research field.
(2)
The rotary-wing type of UAV dominates in its usage, accounting for 63% of deployments. GCPs are primarily employed, representing 67% of the usage, to ensure data accuracy. Related research has focused primarily on the Himalayan region, particularly on the Lirung Glacier in Nepal, with comparatively less focus on the western and central Third Pole areas. An analysis of the published articles indicated that 55% of the focus was on debris-free glaciers, whereas 45% was on debris-covered glaciers. Additionally, 64% were related to continental glaciers, whereas 36% were related to maritime glaciers.
(3)
Immerzeel [32] pioneered UAV applications in the Third Pole, laying the groundwork for future research. Since 2016, improved ice-flow correction methods have enhanced the surface mass balance measurements, facilitating insights into glacier responses to climate change. Debris-covered glaciers have become a key focus, with UAV data essential to ablation analyses in complex micro-geomorphic areas. Since 2018, UAV data have increasingly supported broader glacier change studies.
(4)
Emerging sensors, such as multispectral cameras, thermal infrared cameras, and LiDAR, offer the promise of enhanced monitoring capabilities. Advancements in battery technology are expected to improve UAVs’ efficiency and coverage, thereby enhancing our understanding of glacier dynamics and their responses to climate change. Furthermore, technologies such as AI may enhance UAV photogrammetry applications in glacier research in the Third Pole region.

Author Contributions

C.Z. and S.K. designed this study. C.Z., S.K. and Z.T. completed the data analysis. All of the authors contributed to writing and revising this paper. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant nos. 41961134035, 42271138, 42271312, 42130306, and 42206249) and the Science and Technology Plan Projects of Tibet Autonomous Region (grant nos. XZ202301ZY0028G, and XZ202301ZY0022G).

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Figure 1. Time-series analysis of the number of studies in this field (a); details of countries that have been published (b).
Figure 1. Time-series analysis of the number of studies in this field (a); details of countries that have been published (b).
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Figure 2. Basic characteristics of the papers published in this field.
Figure 2. Basic characteristics of the papers published in this field.
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Figure 3. UAV monitoring methods and output in Third Pole glaciology research.
Figure 3. UAV monitoring methods and output in Third Pole glaciology research.
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Figure 4. Pictures of actual UAVs that have been applied in Third Pole glaciology research (these images were sourced from the official websites of DJI, eBee, and Skywalker).
Figure 4. Pictures of actual UAVs that have been applied in Third Pole glaciology research (these images were sourced from the official websites of DJI, eBee, and Skywalker).
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Figure 5. Schematic diagram of the main UAV positioning types applied.
Figure 5. Schematic diagram of the main UAV positioning types applied.
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Figure 6. Proportion of different UAV types and UAV positioning methods. (a) GCPs, (b) PPK, (c) RTK.
Figure 6. Proportion of different UAV types and UAV positioning methods. (a) GCPs, (b) PPK, (c) RTK.
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Figure 7. Systematic glacier monitoring based on UAV technology [32]. The first UAV observation study was carried out by researchers on the Lirung Glacier in the Third Pole region. Surface elevation presentation (a), surface elevation difference (b), surface velocity (c), and geomorphological evolution (d,e).
Figure 7. Systematic glacier monitoring based on UAV technology [32]. The first UAV observation study was carried out by researchers on the Lirung Glacier in the Third Pole region. Surface elevation presentation (a), surface elevation difference (b), surface velocity (c), and geomorphological evolution (d,e).
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Figure 8. Characteristics of the spatial distribution of relevant studies in the Third Pole region.
Figure 8. Characteristics of the spatial distribution of relevant studies in the Third Pole region.
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Figure 9. Proportion of different glacier types in all research studies and comparative analyses.
Figure 9. Proportion of different glacier types in all research studies and comparative analyses.
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Figure 10. Development of UAV technology for glacier change research in the Third Pole region.
Figure 10. Development of UAV technology for glacier change research in the Third Pole region.
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Table 1. The basic information on the 57 relevant papers.
Table 1. The basic information on the 57 relevant papers.
Publication TimeCountry of Leading Author’s AffiliationStudy AreaSupported Content from UAV DataJournalReference
2014The NetherlandsLirungGlacier Debris ChangesRemote Sensing of Environment[32]
2016FranceChangri NupGlacier Debris Changes The Cryosphere[33]
2016ChinaJiubieGlacial DisastersArid Land Geography (in Chinese)[26]
2016SwitzerlandLirungGlacier Debris ChangesJournal of Glaciology[34]
2016The NetherlandsLirungGlacier Debris ChangesAnnals of Glaciology[35]
2016The NetherlandsLangtangGlacial LandformsRemote Sensing of Environment[36]
2018FranceChangri NupGlacier Debris ChangesThe Cryosphere[37]
2018SwitzerlandLirungComplementary to Other ResearchProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences[38]
2018The NetherlandsLirungSurface Temperature of Glaciers Frontiers in Earth Science[39]
2019The NetherlandsLirungGlacial LandformsEarth Surface Dynamics[40]
2020ChinaBaishui River No. 1Glacial LandformsJournal of Glaciology and Geocryology (in Chinese)[41]
2020ChinaLaohugou No. 12GCP Distribution LayoutJournal of Remote Sensing (in Chinese)[28])
2020ChinaParlung No. 4Glacier Elevation Changes, Surface Velocity Journal of Beijing Normal University (Natural Science) (in Chinese)[29]
2020ChinaBaishui River No. 1Glacier Elevation Changes, Surface Velocity Remote Sensing[27]
2020ChinaParlung No. 4Glacier Elevation Changes, Surface Velocity Remote Sensing[42]
2021IranAlamkouhGlacier Debris Changes Environmental Earth Sciences[43]
2021IranAlamkouhGlacier Debris Changes Geomorphology[44]
2021ChinaMingyongGlacier Debris ChangesProgress in Geography (in Chinese)[45]
2021ChinaDongkemadiGlacier Elevation Changes Progress in Geography (in Chinese)[31]
2021ChinaGongbaGlacier Elevation Changes, Surface Velocity Acta Geographica Sinica (in Chinese)[30]
2021ChinaUrumqi No. 1Glacier Elevation Changes, Surface Velocity Remote Sensing[46]
2021ChinaNingchan No. 1 Glacier Elevation Changes, Terminus ChangesRemote Sensing[47]
2021JapanTrakardingGlacial LandformsFrontiers in Earth Science[48]
2021ChinaHalongGlacial LandformsFrontiers in Earth Science[49]
2021ChinaUrumqi No. 1Complementary to Other ResearchScience of the Total Environment[50]
2021IndiaEast Rathong, Hamtah, and PanchinalaGlacial LandformsJournal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing[51]
2022IndiaGangotriGlacial LandformsGeomorphology[52]
2022IranAlamkouhGlacier Debris Changes Remote Sensing Letters[53]
2022ChinaHailuogouGlacial LandformsGeomorphology[54]
2022JapanThorthormi and LuggeGlacier Elevation Changes, Surface Velocity The Cryosphere[55]
2022ChinaUrumqi No. 1Complementary to Other ResearchRemote Sensing[56]
2022The NetherlandsLirungGlacier Debris Changes Frontiers in Earth Science[57]
2022The United States of AmericaAnnapurna IIIGlacier Debris Changes Journal of Glaciology[58]
2022ChinaDagongba Glacier Debris Changes Journal of Glaciology[59]
2022ChinaMelangGlacial Landforms, Glacier Elevation ChangesRemote Sensing[60]
2022ChinaSedongpuComplementary to Other ResearchScience of the Total Environment[61]
2022EnglandManasluGlacier Elevation Changes, Surface Velocity Frontiers in Earth Science[57]
2022ChinaHailuogouGlacial LandformsEarth Surface Dynamics[62]
2022ChinaLaohugou No. 12Glacier Elevation Changes, Surface Velocity Remote Sensing[63]
2022ChinaParlung No. 4Complementary to Other ResearchRemote Sensing of Environment[64]
2022ChinaUrumqi No. 1Glacier Mass BalanceJournal of Glaciology[65]
2022Switzerland24K, LangtangGlacier Debris Changes The Cryosphere[66]
2022SwitzerlandParlung No. 4Complementary to Other ResearchProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences[67]
2022ChinaUrumqi No. 1Complementary to Other ResearchJournal of Arid Land[68]
2023JapanYalaGlacier Debris Changes Journal of Glaciology[69]
2023ChinaHailuogouGlacier Debris Changes Journal of Maps[70]
2023IndiaPanchi Nala-AGlacier Mass BalanceRegional Environmental Change[71]
2023RomaniaAk-SaiComplementary to Other ResearchRemote Sensing[72]
2023ChinaDagu No. 17Complementary to Other ResearchRemote Sensing[73]
2023ChinaQiYiGlacier Debris Changes Remote Sensing[74]
2023China23K, 24KGlacier Debris ChangesThe Cryosphere[75]
2023ChinaZhuxiGlacier Debris ChangesRemote Sensing[76]
2024ChinaKuoqionggangriGlacier Elevation Changes, Surface Velocity Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology (in Chinese)[77]
2024ChinaUrumqi No. 1-7Glacier Mass BalanceInternational Journal of Digital Earth[78]
2024ChinaWeigele Dangxiong Complementary to Other ResearchThe International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences[25]
2024ChinaParlung No. 4, 24KGlacier Elevation Changes, Surface Velocity Remote Sensing[79]
2024ChinaBaishui River No. 1Glacier Elevation Changes, Surface Velocity Atmosphere[80]
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Zhao, C.; Kang, S.; Fan, Y.; Wang, Y.; He, Z.; Tan, Z.; Gao, Y.; Zhang, T.; He, Y.; Fan, Y. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technology for Glaciology Research in the Third Pole. Drones 2025, 9, 254. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones9040254

AMA Style

Zhao C, Kang S, Fan Y, Wang Y, He Z, Tan Z, Gao Y, Zhang T, He Y, Fan Y. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technology for Glaciology Research in the Third Pole. Drones. 2025; 9(4):254. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones9040254

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zhao, Chuanxi, Shengyu Kang, Yihan Fan, Yongjie Wang, Zhen He, Zhaoqi Tan, Yifei Gao, Tianzhao Zhang, Yifei He, and Yu Fan. 2025. "Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technology for Glaciology Research in the Third Pole" Drones 9, no. 4: 254. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones9040254

APA Style

Zhao, C., Kang, S., Fan, Y., Wang, Y., He, Z., Tan, Z., Gao, Y., Zhang, T., He, Y., & Fan, Y. (2025). Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technology for Glaciology Research in the Third Pole. Drones, 9(4), 254. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones9040254

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