Solving The Mystery Of The Arcouzan Glacier

Standing between 2,320 and 2,520 meters, this relatively low glacier with its distinct funnel shape was first scaled by mountaineer Jean Pierre Pages in 1808.

With glaciers and ice caps melting rapidly across the globe, curiously the Arcouzan glacier appeared to be bucking the trend. Evidence from 2005 to 2018 indicated that the glacier had in fact grown in size, puzzling researchers as to why it was behaving in such an exceptional way. In response, a team recently set out to unravel the mystery and clarify the glacier’s true state.

Working alongside TERIA, as well as scientists and academics at the site, Topcon was called upon to provide geospatial technology that would assess the glacier’s movements and solve the riddle of its supposed growth.

Equipment that delivers
The team’s first priority was to secure an accurate overview of the glacier’s movements and activity to check the validity of previous research. The harsh, unpredictable weather at this altitude presented a significant challenge, requiring robust, highly precise technology capable of performing in extreme conditions.

Topcon’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), a proven pioneer in GNSS tracking and positioning, was chosen for the task. Thanks to its Universal Tracking Channels technology, the system leveraged satellite constellations from GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou, to provide a complete overview of the glacier and its movements. Topcon account manager Jasper Vos explained: “This full-constellation service ensured that the data was as accurate and reliable as possible, even under the harshest of environmental conditions, allowing scientists to track changes with unmatched precision.”

To support the work, the Topcon GLS-2200 3D laser scanner and FC-5000 Field Notebook, paired with TERIA PYX receivers, were deployed. The GLS-2200 simplified complex scanning processes, capturing intricate surface details with a 200-meter range and HDR imaging for superior 3D model rendering. This made it ideal for high-pressure and time-critical glacial monitoring. Complementing the scanning equipment, the Topcon FC-500 Field Notebook was chosen for its rugged build and ease of use in the harsh mountain terrain. Its seven-inch screen remained bright and readable even under direct alpine sunlight, while its waterproof, scratch-resistant design ensured durability amid the volatile conditions of high-altitude glacial research. “Together, these technologies provided the precision and reliability the team needed to capture accurate data in one of the most extreme environments,” added Jasper.