3-D glacier subsurface characterization using SAR polarimetry

• Published in: 2015 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS)
• Main Authors: Parrella, Giuseppe, Papathanassiou, Konstantinos, Hajnsek, Irena
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 2015
• Subjects: Radarkonzepte; Austfonna; glacier; Ice cap; Norwegian Polar Institute; Svalbard
• Online Access: https://elib.dlr.de/93934/; https://elib.dlr.de/93934/1/__dlrvdi003s.intra.dlr.de_home_parr_gi_Desktop_IGARSS2015_Abstract_IGARSS2015_Parrella.pdf

The paper introduces a new polarimetric scattering model able to interpret and invert coherent polarimetric SAR (PolSAR) measurements over glaciers and ice sheets. Individual scattering components related to ice lenses and pipes are considered to model the subsurface scattering structure of ice sheets. The model is able to interpret the scattering amplitudes, their ratios at the different polarizations as well as the observed polarimetric phase differences. The co-polarization (HH-VV) phase difference is related to the structural anisotropy of the firn layer and can be used to estimate its thickness. The model is validated against L-band PolSAR data acquired by the E-SAR sensor of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) over the Austfonna ice cap in Svalbard during the ICESAR2007 campaign and available GPR profiles. L-band GPR profiles measured in spring 2007 by the Norwegian Polar Institute and the University of Oslo are also used to support the data analysis and interpretation.