Item: Comparison of Field and- Synthetic Aperture Radar Retrieval of Snow Water Equivalent at Kapp Linne, Svalbard
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Title: Comparison of Field and- Synthetic Aperture Radar Retrieval of Snow Water Equivalent at Kapp Linne, Svalbard
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2014 Proceedings, Banff, Canada
Authors:
- Malnes E. [ Earth Observation, Norut, Tromsø, Norway ]
- Hindberg H. [ Earth Observation, Norut, Tromsø, Norway ]
- Eckerstorfer M. [ Earth Observation, Norut, Tromsø, Norway ]
- Farnsworth W.R. [ Arctic Geology Department, University Centre in Svalbard, Norway ]
Date: 2014-09-29
Abstract: We have used TerraSAR-X spot-light mode data (1 m spatial resolution) together with in situ sensors and field observations at Kapp Linné’, Svalbard to quantify and validate measurements of snow water equivalent. The experiments show that X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data are sensitive to the snow water equivalent, and can be used to infer valuable information. We acquired TerraSAR- X data during the last three winter seasons (2012-2014), together with field data from three Aprilfield campaigns along four, 1-km long transects. By comparing the field in situ measurements with the radar backscatter signatures at X-band frequencies, we show that backscatter changes are related to the accumulation of snow water equivalent. Presence of liquid water in the snow caused by high temperatures and/or rain on snow events are related to sudden drops in the radar backscattering and can be detected. In these cases SWE cannot be retrieved since the radar waves are absorbed in the top layer of the snow.
Object ID: ISSW14_paper_P2.40.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s):
Keywords: satellite remote sensing, snow parameters, SWE, wet snow
Page Number(s): 855-860
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