Glaciological studies in the Alps and in Antarctica using ERS interferometric SAR

Applications of repeat pass SAR interferometry and conditions for coherence were studied over Alpine glaciers and polar inland ice. In the test site Otztal in the Austrian Alps field campaigns were carried out during ERS-1/ERS-2 tandem overflights. Five image pairs were available for interferometric analysis, each of which was acquired within 24 hours at specific dates between August 1995 and February 1996. Melting and, in case of dry snow, strong winds were identified as the main factors for phase decorrelation. For the region of the Heimefrontfjella mountain range in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica, interferometric analysis was carried out for seven ERS-1 SLC quarter scenes from January and February 1994 acquired in 3 day repeat intervals. The map of ice motion, generated by means of differential interferometry, revealed a complex pattern of ice dynamic. The investigations of temporal and baseline-dependent decorrelation indicated significant differences between various snow and ice types, providing possibilities for target discrimination.