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Description

Optical satellite remote sensing depends on cloudless, well-illuminated areas to produce quality data. This is especially problematic for collecting data during nighttime or when there is cloud cover. Radar is an ideal sensor because of its ability to “see” the surface through clouds or regardless of day or night conditions. In addition, the radar signal can penetrate through the vegetation canopy and provide information about conditions underneath, such as whether there is flooding. Also, techniques such as interferometry can track surface deformation on the order of centimeters, such as displacement caused by earthquakes.

This webinar series, led by NASA's Applied Remote Sensing Training (ARSET) program, builds on ARSET's previous webinar, Introduction to Synthetic Aperture Radar. The training focuses on different techniques such as time-series', polarimetry, and interferometry for mapping and monitoring disasters, water, and land cover applications such as deforestation, crops, flooding, and earthquakes.

Prerequisites

Objectives

By the end of this training, attendees will be able to:

  • Use synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data to map deforestation, floods, crop growth, and surface deformation as a result of an earthquake

Target Audience

The training is designed for remote sensing users from local, regional, state, federal, and international organizations interested in using SAR for terrestrial applications such as inundation mapping, land cover land use change studies, and surface deformation for volcanic and earthquake activity.

Course Format

  • Four 2-hour parts

Sessions

Part 1

Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018

Remote video URL

This session covers SAR applications for mapping land cover and land cover change, including deforestation. We address the challenges encountered when mapping these types of applications, and how to best address them. 

Materials 

Part 2

Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018

Remote video URL

This session covers using SAR for mapping flooded areas and flood dynamics in natural and urban environments. 

Materials

Part 3

Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018

Remote video URL

This session covers using cover using SAR for mapping crop growth.

Materials

Part 4

Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018

Remote video URL

This session covers using interferometric SAR to map surface deformation related to earthquakes.

Materials

Citation

(2018). ARSET - Radar Remote Sensing for Land, Water, & Disaster Applications. NASA Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET). https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/learn/trainings/radar-remote-sensing-land-water-disaster-applications

Details

Last Updated

Feb. 22, 2026

Published

Aug. 7, 2018

Data Center/Project

Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET)