Abstract:We processed time-series data,using a sub-pixel cross-correlation analysis method, to obtain the temporal evolution of the surface displacements of the west Kunlun mountain glaciers in the north-western Tibetan plateau. This work co-registers periodically acquired Landsat-8 images using the sub-pixel cross-correlation technique at an accuracy of 0.01 pixels, implying a horizontal displacements detecting precision of the optical image 0.15 m. By cross-correlation analysis of the Landsat-8 images acquired from July 2013 to August 2014 and time-series inversion, this study constructs the displacement and velocity fields of two glaciers in the west Kunlun mountains. It demonstrates that the glaciers in the study area are slipping fast and uniformly (no obvious acceleration or deceleration). Based on Landsat-8 images, the method of this study can potentially be used for measuring ground deformation caused by dunes shifting, earthquakes, landslides, or volcanoes etc.