IFSAR / SAR / Radar

Development of An Automated and Cloud-Based Remote Sensing Routine for Surface Water Monitoring in Alaska Refuges

Submitted by atripp on Wed, 12/28/2022 - 09:51

The potential for large changes in the amount and distribution of surface water in arctic landscapes is high given climate-induced changes in permafrost. Because changes in surface water have broadscale implications in the structure and function of ecosystems, understanding and tracking surface water change is a high priority for some Alaskan refuges.

Monitoring Managed Lands Using Synthetic Aperture Radar

Submitted by atripp on Tue, 12/27/2022 - 12:15

The emergent proliferation of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging systems, related advancements in image processing and exploitation capabilities, and the increasing availability of analysis-ready SAR data products have enhanced the BLM’s ability to use remote sensing-derived information to support resource management.

Walruses Are Visible in Satellite Imagery When They Rest on Shore in Large Numbers

Submitted by atripp on Tue, 12/27/2022 - 09:42

During late summer and autumn, Pacific walruses are resting on shore north of the Bering Strait more often and in larger numbers in both the United States and Russia.  Historically, walruses rested primarily on floating sea ice over their offshore foraging grounds in this region, but climate warming has reduced availability of sea ice.  With greater numbers of walruses gathering on shore, USGS scientists and collabor

Five Decades of Glacier Change across the Crown of the Continent

Submitted by atripp on Thu, 12/22/2022 - 09:36

Accelerating glacier change in the early 21st century is impacting sea level, water resources, and ecosystems across North America and globally. Yet, direct field measurements of glacier change are laborious and logistically challenging to obtain, and less than 0.001% of glaciers on Earth have detailed long-term (more than 30 years) records.

Monitoring Tsunamigenic Landslide Hazards

Submitted by tadamson on Wed, 12/21/2022 - 11:22

In Prince William Sound in southern Alaska, climate change–driven glacial retreat is exposing steep, unstable slopes that could generate tsunamis if they failed rapidly and entered the fjords. One such area is the Barry Arm fjord, where the rapid retreat and thinning of the Barry Glacier is associated with several slope instabilities that threaten nearby communities, infrastructure, and marine interests.