Abstract
Decorrelation of X, C, and L-band InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) over densely vegetated regions is a common obstacle for detecting ground deformation beneath forest canopies. Using long-wavelength P-band SAR sensors (wavelength of 69.72 cm), which can penetrate through dense forests and collect relatively consistent signals from ground surface, is one potential solution. Here, we experimented using the NASA JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory)’s P-band AirMOSS (Airborne Microwave Observatory of Subcanopy and Subsurface) radar system to collect repeat-pass P-band SAR data over densely vegetated regions in Oregon and California (USA), and generated by far the first P-band InSAR results to test the capability of P-band InSAR for geohazard detection over forested terrains. Our results show that the AirMOSS P-band InSAR could retain coherence two times as high as the L-band satellite ALOS-2 (Advanced Land Observing Satellite-2) data, and was significantly more effective in discovering localized geohazards that were unseen by the ALOS-2 interferograms over densely vegetated areas. Our results suggest that the airborne P-band InSAR could be a revolutionary tool for studying geohazards under dense forest canopies.
Highlights
Radar remote sensing is an effective and efficient method for mapping and monitoring geohazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, urban subsidence, and landslides (e.g., [1,2]).Successful applications of X, C, and L-band InSAR for ground deformation detection and measurement have been demonstrated all over the globe since the 1990s [3]
Short-wavelength (X/C-band) radar pulses may not be able to penetrate through the dense forests, and the backscattered signals from vegetation canopy instead of the ground surface often lead to strong decorrelation in repeat-pass SAR acquisitions, and render the data ineffective for geohazard detection (e.g., [4,5])
Using the interferograms generated from the P-band AirMOSS data acquired in December 2020 and May 2021 over the three target regions (i.e., GB, SB, and HC), we identified
Summary
Radar remote sensing is an effective and efficient method for mapping and monitoring geohazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, urban subsidence, and landslides (e.g., [1,2]).Successful applications of X-, C-, and L-band InSAR (wavelengths of 3.1, 5.6, and 24.2 cm, respectively) for ground deformation detection and measurement have been demonstrated all over the globe since the 1990s [3]. Capacity of detecting geohazards beneath tree canopies could be compromised, depending on the wavelength of radar waves. Short-wavelength (X/C-band) radar pulses may not be able to penetrate through the dense forests, and the backscattered signals from vegetation canopy instead of the ground surface often lead to strong decorrelation in repeat-pass SAR acquisitions, and render the data ineffective for geohazard detection (e.g., [4,5]). Using a longer-wavelength (L/P-band) sensor is one of the potential solutions to strengthen radar’s capability for geohazard detection over forested terrains. Based on this rationale, we experimented on acquiring repeat-pass P-band SAR
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