Chapter 6 - Subsurface feature identification using L Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data over Jaisalmer, India

Abstract

This work describes a region of Jaisalmer of Rajasthan, India, which is an inhospitable place owing to its climatic conditions. Remote sensing has a vital role in remote areas for mapping, monitoring, and feature identification using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. L-band characteristics are a longer wavelength and shorter frequency, which can penetrate dry sand and contact subsurface feature, increasing backscattering. In an investigation using ALOS-1 Phased Array L-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR), L-band data clearly show a dry sand-covered subsurface feature in the Jaisalmer area. Identified feature were validated by C-band SAR data, optical satellite data of Landsat 5 sensor data, Sentinel-2A, and Google Earth images. ALOS-1 PALSAR has a penetration capability that resulted in the discovery of a buried feature in the Jaisalmer area. This research helps to identify the features and mapping of subsurface features in arid regions.