The project focuses on alpine glaciers and their role in the continental hydrologic cycle, as climate indicators and their interaction with the solid earth. In addition to many years of intensive research work on the Vernagtferner, the "house glacier" in the Ötztal Alps, investigations are being carried out in various glacier regions, e.g. Iceland, Norway, the Pamir, and the Karakorum. Along with classical field measurements from geodesy and glaciology, modern satellite methods are also used. Interactions between glaciers and their environment are modelled on the basis of the data obtained in this way as a function of climatic changes. At the same time, geodetic work on geodynamics and reference systems will be carried out as a basis for a variety of further investigations in the geosciences.
The project is funded by the Free State of Bavaria since 2016 under the name Erdmessung und Glaziologie.