SAR APPLICATION IN

GEOLOGY

RADARSAT-1
& 2
SARadvantage &
Disadvantage

USEFUL IN .
Geological structure mapping
Lineament mapping
Geomorphological mapping
Surficial material assessment
Surficial bedrock mapping
Sedimentology mapping
Landslide hazard assessment

RADARSAT 1
Radarsat-1 launched in 1995
operates in C-band
synthetic aperture radar (SAR)
operates in 7 beam position modes
able to steer it beams from 10 to 60
incidence angle
resolution from 8 to 100m

RADARSAT-1
Beam Mode

Position

Resolution (m)

Area (km)

(incidence angle)
Fine

15

50 x 50

Standard

25

100 x 100

Wide

30

165 x 165

Extended High

25

75 x 75

Extended Low

35

170 x 170

ScanSAR Narrow

50

300 x 300

ScanSar Wide

100

500 x 500

Radarsat International. n.d. Radarsat Geology Handbook

RADARSAT-1

RADARSAT-1

Standard mode

ScanSAR Wide

LITHOLOGY AND STRUCTURE

The finer siltstone particles produce a darker return, while the coarser
limestone particles produce a brighter backscatter return attributed
to the increased surface roughness (Standard beam).

GEOMORPHOLOGICAL/LANDFORM/
STRUCTURE MAPPING
The Treetop Geology concept is
illustrated in this RADARSAT image
of a dense tropical forest. An eroded,
sedimentary dome structure is
clearly evident (Fine beam)

LANDSLIDE HAZARD ASSESSMENT

CONDITIONS INFLUENCING GEOLOGICAL

MAPPING
Geological
activity

Radar response

Beam mode

Incidence angle

Geological
structure mapping

topographic relief

fine and standard for

detailed mapping
Wide and ScanSAR for
basin wide mapping

shallow angle by
enhancing
topography shadow
Intermediate angle
for high relief terrain

Lineament

topographic relief

fine and standard for

detailed identification
Wide and ScanSAR for
regional identification

shallow angle to
enhance topographic
relief

Geomorphological/
landform

topographic relief

fine and standard for

detailed identification
Wide and ScanSAR for
regional identification

shallow angle to
enhance subtle
terrain through
shadowing

CONDITIONS INFLUENCING GEOLOGICAL

MAPPING
Geological
activity

Radar response

Beam mode

Incidence angle

Surficial material
assessment

unique
backscatter in
response to
different soil
roughness & soil
moisture

fine and standard for

detailed identification
Wide and ScanSAR for
regional identification

soil moisture (steep

angle)
soil roughness
(shallow angle)

Surficial bedrock
mapping

unique
fine and standard for
backscatter due
detailed identification
to fracture pattern Wide and ScanSAR for
in different rocks,
regional identification
rock fabric,
Better with low moisture
texture and
level (backscatter
mineral
correlated closely with
composition
surface rougness)

shallow angle to
maximize the contrast
in backscatter
resulting in varying
surface roughness

CONDITIONS INFLUENCING GEOLOGICAL

MAPPING
Geological activity Radar response

Beam mode

Incidence angle

Sedimentology
mapping

unique
backscatter in
response to
different soil
roughness & soil
moisture
Topographic relief
Erosional pattern

fine and standard for

detailed identification
Wide and ScanSAR for
regional identification

Steep angle (soil

moisture)
Shallow angle (soil
roughness)

Landslide hazard
assessment

Surface roughness fine and standard for

Landslide
detailed identification
deposited area
Change in
vegetation pattern

Shallow angle

LINEAMENT MAPPING
Speckle Filtering

LINEAMENT MAPPING
Stages in despeckle

(CONT)

LINEAMENT MAPPING
Lineament filter
a) Directional
b) Non-directional

(CONT)

LINEAMENT MAPPING
Lineament

Lineament

Lineament

(CONT)

Important in
Determination of
groundwater source
Landslide
Mineral potential area
Geological structure
studies

EARTHQUAKE STUDIES
Used for mapping ground changes and infrastructure damages
Calculating the ratio dif ferences in terms of backscatter
intensity based on multitemporal images
The drawback is
significant variability of backscatter that depends on the
incidence angle when the image is required. The sensor must
acquire the image at the same incidence angle before the
earthquake happen so that the backscatter intensity can be
quantified.
The concept when assessing damages due to an earthquake
due to side-looking acquisition geometry, urban constructions
often produce distinct signal caused by double bounce
mechnanism, this pattern changes when the buildings are
damaged by an earthquake

VOLCANIC ACTIVIT Y
Used for mapping volcanic deformations
Useful in times of eruptions where there is a lot of smoke
obscuring visibility
Technique: calculating a dif ference of intensity images from
before and after the event. For example, lahar and pyroclastic
flow
Drawback: certain band (C - & L- bands) are not clearly show
changes of backscatter intensity

LANDSLIDES
Useful for storm-induce landsliding where cloud cover
impeded the use of optical sensor
However, due to better resolution and capability of multiband
manipulation, optical data is still preferable than SAR
Drawback:
a) layover and shadowing ef fect in high slopes area.
b) Dif ferent viewing position will af fect the backscatter
intensity quantification
c) Not much distinct backscatters from the images taken
before and after an event due to the size of landslides and
also if the background is the same with the landslides (bare
ground)

FLOODING
Ideal sensor for flood studies due to backscatter signature of
water is so distinct compare to the background
Floodwater remain visible for longer time
Delineation of flood boundary can be done due to flood
receding slowly
Water appear darker in SAR image
SAR able to detect flood under canopy area
However, experience researcher is needed to interpret the
backscatter data under the canopy and image before and
after a flood event are needed for comparison