Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-fbnjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T04:09:24.712Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Mapping of Glacial Landforms from Seasat Radar Images

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

J. P. Ford
J. P. Ford*
Affiliation:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91109
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Glacial landforms in the drumlin drift belt of Ireland and the Alaska Range can be identified and mapped from Seasat synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) images. Drumlins cover 60% of the Ireland scene. The width/length ratio of individual drumlins can be measured on the SAR images, allowing regional differences in drumlin shape to be mapped. This cannot be done with corresponding Landsat multispectral scanner (MSS) images because of lower spatial resolution and because of shadowing effects that vary seasonally. The Alaska scene shows the extent and nature of morphological features such as medial and lateral moraines, stagnant ice, and fluted ground moraine in glaciated valleys. Perception of these features on corresponding Landsat MSS images is limited by seasonal differences in solar illumination. Because SAR is not affected by such differences or by cloud cover, it is particularly well suited for monitoring glacial movement. The disadvantage of distorted high-relief features on Seasat SAR images can be reduced in future SAR systems by modifying the radar illumination geometry.

Type
Research Article
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 22 , Issue 3 , November 1984 , pp. 314 - 327
Copyright
University of Washington

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Chapman, R.J. (1970). The late-Weichselian glaciations of the Erne Basin Irish Geography 6 153 161 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Davies, G.L.H. Stephens, N. (1978). Ireland Methuen London Google Scholar
Dean, K.G. (1980). Surficial Geology of the Susitna-Chulitna River Area, Alaska Land and Resource Planning Section, Division of Research and Development, Alaska Department of Natural Resources Anchorage, Alas Susitna Basin Planning Background ReportGoogle Scholar
Elachi, C. (1980). Spaceborne imaging radar: Geologic and oceanographic applications Science (Washington, D.C.) 209 1073 1082 Google Scholar
Elachi, C. (1983). Spaceborne radar research in the 80s Spaceborne Imaging Radar Symposium January 17–20, 1983, JPL Publication 83-11 Jet Propulsion Laboratory Pasadena, Calif., 131 135 Google Scholar
Embleton, C. King, C.A.M. (1975). Glacial Geomorphology Wiley New York Google Scholar
Flint, R.F. (1971). Glacial and Quaternary Geology Wiley New York Google Scholar
Ford, J.P. Blom, R.G. Bryan, M.L. Daily, M.I. Dixon, T.H. Elachi, C. Xenos, E.C. (1980). Seasat Views North America, the Caribbean, and Western Europe with Imaging Radar Jet Propulsion Laboratory Pasadena, Calif., JPL Publication 80-67Google Scholar
Hill, A.R. (1973). The distribution of drumlins in County Down, Ireland Annals of the Association of American Geographers 63 226 240 Google Scholar
Krimmel, R.M. Meier, M.F. (1975). Glacier applications of ERTS images Journal of Glaciology 15 391 401 Google Scholar
Mayo, L.R. (1978). Identification of unstable glaciers intermediate between normal and surging glaciers Proceedings of International Workshop on Mechanism of Glacier Variations. Academy of Sciences, U.S.S.R., Glaciology. 133 135 MoscowGoogle Scholar
McCabe, A.M. (1969). The glacial deposits of the Maguiresbridge area, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland Irish Geography 6 63 77 Google Scholar
Meier, M.F. (1976). Monitoring the motion of surging glaciers in the Mount McKinley massif, Alaska William, R.S. Jr. Carter, W.D. ERTS-1: A New Window on Our Planet. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 929. 185 187 Washington, D.C.Google Scholar
Muller, E.H. (1974). Origins of drumlins Glacial Geomorphology: Proceedings of Fifth Annual Geomorphology Symposium Series 187 204 Binghamton, New YorkGoogle Scholar
Ordnance Survey of Ireland 1978a Half-inch map Sheet 13. Meath. Scale 1:126,720. DublinGoogle Scholar
Ordnance Survey of Ireland 1978b Half-inch map Sheet 8. Monaghan-Armagh. Scale 1:126,720. DublinGoogle Scholar
Ordnance Survey of Ireland(1979). Half-inch map Sheet 7. Sligo-Leitrim. Scale 1:126,720. DublinGoogle Scholar
Ordnance Survey of Ireland(1980). Half-inch map Sheet 14. Longford-Roscommon, Scale 1:126,720. DublinGoogle Scholar
Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland 1976a One-inch map, third series Sheet 8. Armagh. Scale 1:63,360. BelfastGoogle Scholar
Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland 1976b One-inch map, third series Sheet 5. East Tyrone. Scale 1:63,360. BelfastGoogle Scholar
Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland 1978a One-inch map, third series Sheet 7. Enniskillen. Scale 1:63,360. BelfastGoogle Scholar
Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland 1978b One-inch map, third series Sheet 4. Omagh. Scale 1:63,360. BelfastGoogle Scholar
Post, A.S. (1960). The exceptional advances of the Muldrow, Black Rapids and Susitna glaciers Journal of Geophysical Research 65 3703 3712 Google Scholar
Stout, J.H. Brady, J.B. Weber, F. Page, R.A. (1973). Evidence of Quaternary movement on the McKinley Strand of the Denali Fault in the Delta River area, Alaska Geological Society of America Bulletin 84 939 947 Google Scholar
U.S. Geological Survey, (1972). Shaded relief map Mount McKinley National Park, Alaska. Scale 1:250,000Google Scholar
Vernon, P. (1966). Drumlins and Pleistocene ice flow over the Ards Peninsula/Strangford Lough area, County Down, Ireland Journal of Glaciology 6 401 409 Google Scholar
Williams, R.S. Jr. (1983). Geological applications Colwell, R.N. Manual of Remote Sensing 2nd ed. Amer. Soc. of Photogrammetry Falls Church, Va Chap. 31 1851 1869; 1916–1951.Google Scholar