Search USGS⌕ Search
Home/Archive/USGS

USGS · 70018191

Use of SAR data to study active volcanoes in Alaska

K.G. Dean·K. Engle·Z. Lu·J. Eichelberger·T. Neal·M. Doukas
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data of Westdahl, Veniaminof, and Novarupta volcanoes in the Aleutian Arc of Alaska were analyzed to investigate recent surface volcanic processes. These studies support ongoing monitoring and research by the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) in the North Pacific Ocean Region. Landforms and possible crustal deformation before, during, or after eruptions were detected and analyzed using data from the European Remote Sensing Satellites (ERS), Japanese Earth Resources Satellite (JERS) and the U. S. Seasat platforms. Field observations collected by scientists from the AVO were used to verify the results from the analysis of SAR data.

Explore related subjects

European Space Agency, (Special Publication) ESA SPArticle

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

K.G. Dean, K. Engle, Z. Lu, J. Eichelberger, T. Neal, M. Doukas. 1996. Use of SAR data to study active volcanoes in Alaska. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70018191

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2005

An onboard data analysis method to track the seasonal polar caps on Mars

The Martian seasonal CO2 ice caps advance and retreat each year. They are currently studied using instruments such as the THermal EMission Imaging System (THEMIS), a visible and infra-red camera on the Mars Odyssey spacecraft [1]. However, each image must be downlinked to Earth prior to analysis. In contrast, we have developed the Bimodal Image Temperature (BIT) histogram analysis method for onboard detection of the cap edge, before transmission. In downlink-limited scenarios when the entire image cannot be transmitted, the location of the cap edge can still be identified and sent to Earth. In this paper, we evaluate our method on uncalibrated THEMIS data and find 1) agreement with manual cap edge identifications to within 28.2 km, and 2) high accuracy even with a smaller analysis window, yielding large reductions in memory requirements. This algorithm is currently being considered as a capability enhancement for the Odyssey second extended mission, beginning in fall 2006.

European Space Agency, (Special Publication) ESA S↗
USGS1997

Velocities of Pine Island and Thwaites Glaciers, West Antarctica, from ERS-1 SAR images

Average velocities of Pine Island and Thwaites Glaciers were measured for the time periods between 1992 and 1994 by tracking ice-surface patterns. Velocities of the central flow of the Pine Island Glacier range from 1.5 km/yr above the grounding line (separating the grounded from the floating parts of a glacier) to 2.8 km/yr near the terminus; velocities of the central Thwaites Glacier range from 2.2 km/yr above the grounding line to 3.4 km/yr at the limit of measurements on the tongue. Both glaciers show an increase in velocity of about 1 km/yr where they cross their grounding lines. The velocities derived from ERS-1 images are higher than those previously derived from Landsat images, perhaps reflecting acceleration of the glaciers. Both glaciers are exceptionally fast. The high velocities may be due to high precipitation rates over West Antarctica and the lack of a major buttressing ice shelf.

European Space Agency, (Special Publication) ESA S↗
USGS1997

Crustal deformation in southern California using SAR interferometry

By combining pairs of ERS-1/2 SAR images of Southern California spanning long time intervals (1-4 years), we were able to measure the rate of slow deformation processes along faults activated during the Landers 1992 earthquake. Interferograms revealed several centimeters of post-seismic rebound in step-overs of the 1992 break, with a characteristic decay rate of -280 days. We interpreted this process as due to pore fluid flow as pore pressure gradients caused by coseismic stress changes dissipate. The data also revealed evidence of after-slip on different sections of the fault. The southern branches of the 1992 break experienced surface creep producing sharp phase cuts hi the interferometric maps. The same approach was used in the Los Angeles basin, which is currently undergoing NS shortening at a rate of ???8 mm/yr. The tectonic signal in imerferograms of the Los Angeles basin is intermingled with signals due to other sources such as ground subsidence caused by oil and water withdrawal.

European Space Agency, (Special Publication) ESA S↗