Mapping heat loss zones for permafrost prediction at the northern/alpine limit of the boreal forest using high-resolution C-band SAR

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Remote Sensing of Environment; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0034-4257(94)90077-9· OSTI ID:6530583

Granberg, H B ^[1]

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1. Univ. de Sherbrooke, Quebec (Canada). Centre d'Applications et de Recherches en Teledetection

Lack of thermal insulation of the ground by snow cover is the prime factor causing permafrost to occur in the alpine tundra areas near Schefferville (55[degree]N, 67[degree]W). Lack of protection by seasonal snow cover is also the prime factor suppressing the growth of brush vegetation that is omnipresent elsewhere. The sensitivity of C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to slight variations in an already sparse vegetation cover permits areas of shallow snow cover, and thus strong wintertime heat loss, to be identified. The map of such heat loss zones produced from a high-resolution HH-polarized C-band SAR-image imaged by the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing in early June 1991, compares favorably with previous permafrost maps produced by the Iron Ore Company of Canada.

• OSTI ID: 6530583
• Journal Information: Remote Sensing of Environment; (United States), Journal Name: Remote Sensing of Environment; (United States) Vol. 50:3; ISSN RSEEA7; ISSN 0034-4257
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540210* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Basic Studies-- (1990-)
BOREAL REGIONS
CLIMATIC CHANGE
FORECASTING
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
PERMAFROST
RADAR
RANGE FINDERS
REMOTE SENSING
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
SYNTHETIC-APERTURE RADAR