Extraction of subsurface features from insar-derived Digital Elevation Models

Abstract

Microwave remote sensing has the potential to be a beneficial tool to detect and analyse subsurface features in desert areas due to its penetration ability over hyperarid regions with extremely low loss and low bulk humidity. Global Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) of resolution up to 30 m are now publicly available, some of which show subsurface features over these hyperarid areas. This study compares different elevations detected by different EO microwave and lidar profilers and demonstrates their effectiveness in terms of extraction of subsurface features compared with that delineated in ALOS/PALSAR polarisation map. Results show that SRTM-C DEM agrees closely with ICESat elevations and that SRTM-C DEM clearly show paleoriver features, some of which can't be observed in ALOS/PALSAR images affected by background backscatter. However, craterlike features are more recognisable in ALOS/PALSAR images compared with SRTM-C DEM.