[PS3-B.92]
Deriving glacier flow of Comfortlessbreen, Svalbard, with 2-pass differential SAR
interferometry
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N.J. Schneevoigt* , W. Bogren , M. Sund , D.J. Weydahl , A. Kaab
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University of Oslo, Norway, NILU, Norway, The University Centre in Svalbard, Norway,
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Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, Norway
Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery delivers a wide range of information beyond the mere
visible, also at night and through cloud cover. For example, inferences on and even below the
glacier surface are possible, concerning roughness and melting conditions amongst others. In
this study, C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) scenes from spring 1996 by the 1-day
repeat-pass tandem mission of the European Remote Sensing satellites ERS 1 and ERS 2
are used for 2-pass SAR differential interferometry (DInSAR) together with a SPOT elevation
model from 2007. DInSAR takes advantage of the coherence between the phases of two or
more satellite passes flying on the same orbit for deriving information on elevation and
movements. Only the component of movement in line with the look angle of the sensor can be
detected from the fringe structures in an interferogram, yet Comfortlessbreen lies nicely in this
direction. This allows to look into the past of this currently surging glacier, to infer 1996
horizontal and vertical movements for comparison with present day velocities. Maximum
horizontal displacements of around 25 cm/d can thus be detected at the glacier terminus,
while less than 3 cm/d characterise most of the upper portions of Comfortlessbreen in 1996.
Keywords: