Fusion of Ascending and Descending Pass SAR Intensity and Coherence Images for Mapping Volcanic Deposits

Abstract

The advancement of satellite remote sensing has offered greater potential for mapping volcanic deposits. Although the development of weather‐independent microwave remote sensing has made the frequent detection over large area detection of deposits using SAR intensity image is sometimes hindered by ambiguities and noise. The ambiguities occur in volcanic deposit areas covered by young vegetation and that give either high or low backscatter depending upon their orientation. For this reason coherent images were integrated with SAR intensity images to extract more reliable information about volcanic deposited area. Besides, the layover areas due to the viewing geometry of SAR make difficulties to map the volcanic deposits on every side of the mountain. To avoid the influence of layover effects fusion techniques of ascending and descending pass SAR intensity and coherent images were developed. Using the fused images with an optical image, a color composite was developed to identify the areas affected by an eruption. In this color composite, especially vegetation damages can be easily identified.