Mapping Subsurface Geology in Sahara using L-band SAR: First Results from the ALOS/PALSAR Imaging Radar

Philippe Paillou (1, 2, 3, 4) , S. Lopez (1, 2, 3, 4) , Tom Farr (5) , Ake Rosenqvist (6)

1 OASU - Observatoire aquitain des sciences de l'univers
2 LAB - Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux [Pessac]
3 UB - Université Sciences et Technologies - Bordeaux 1
4 L3AB - Laboratoire d'astrodynamique, d'astrophysique et d'aéronomie de bordeaux
5 JPL - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
6 JRC - European Commission - Joint Research Centre [Ispra]

Within the framework of Kyoto & Carbon Initiative of the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA), we used JERS-1 and ALOS/PALSAR radar images to build regional and continental scale mosaics of Sahara. The unique capability of L-band SAR to map subsurface structures in arid areas revealed previously unknown geological features: craters, faults, paleo-rivers. The latter are of particular interest for water resource detection in arid regions.

Mots clés: ALOS; PALSAR; K&C Initiative; Sahara; subsurface geology; craters; paleohydrology; water resources

Domaines: Planétologie et astrophysique de la terre [astro-ph.EP]; Planétologie et astrophysique de la terre [astro-ph.EP]

Philippe Paillou, S. Lopez, Tom Farr, Ake Rosenqvist. Mapping Subsurface Geology in Sahara using L-band SAR: First Results from the ALOS/PALSAR Imaging Radar. IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing, 2010, 3 (4), pp.632 - 636. ⟨hal-00495917⟩