Geological Interpretation of Integrated SAR Images in the Azraq Area of Jordan

Saint-Jean, Robert; Singhroy, V.; Khalifa, Samuel

doi:10.1080/07038992.1995.10855171

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Several observations on the backscattering and on the texture can be made on the SAR images. The wadis are bright on the HH and HV images because of the strong backscattering of the vegetation (Saint-Jean et al, 1995). On the VV image, the radiometric contrast between the wadis and the desert pavement is low; this greatly limits the detection potential of the drainage network.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is already known (Travaglia and Ammar, 1999;Saint-Jean et al, 1995) that optical (VIR) sensors are very efficient in arid and semi-arid environments. We will demonstrate that multipolarization SAR data can provide high spatial resolution data that is complementary to VIR data that can facilitate the interpretation work for hydrogeological mapping.…”

Section: Objectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The wadi shown here is a good example of these phenomena, the azimuth goes from N25° to N115° at the level of the curve at the center of the image and comes back at N25°. Many authors have demonstrated that the drainage network structural feature is related with the presence of an underground water table (Bailey and Halls, 1999;Minor et al, 1994;Saint-Jean et al, 1995).…”

Section: Desert Pavementmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hydrogeological Mapping in the Semi-arid Environment of Eastern Jordan Using Airborne Multipolarized Radar Images

Saint-Jean¹,

Singhroy²

2000

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This study focuses on the information content of HH, VV, VH and HV polarized airborne SAR data to evaluate which of these polarizations is more appropriate to facilitate mapping of lineaments and detailed drainage of wadis. It is known that a good knowledge of surficial lineaments and drainage network can help to locate wells and surface water retention dams used for groundwater recharge. The study area is located near the village of Azraq in the semi-arid environment of Eastern Jordan. In Jordan, water availability is a very acute problem as the demand is increasing and reserves are decreasing. A large amount of the water has always been obtained from deep wells but now, the rate of pumping exceeds the rate of replenishment. Additionally, the salinity is getting to a level where it is unsuitable for consumption. The area receives an average of 50 mm of rain a year mostly between October and March. Natural vegetation is very scarce and survives only in the temporary river channels. Since vegetation is very scarce, the water is rapidly evacuated and recharge of the underground water table is minimal. The area has a flat topography with slight depression enabling drainage during the "rainy" season. We use a set of airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images of Eastern Jordan obtained from a survey flown in 1993, as part of the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing's GlobeSAR-1 project. All images were analyzed in order to enhance a maximum of hydrogeological information. Results show that the crossed polarizations images (HV or VH) and to a lesser extent, the HH like polarization images show a good contrast and enough details to permit hydrographic network mapping in the wadi (dry river beds) where a minimum of vegetation is available. The VV polarization is not as sensitive to vegetation

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Objectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Desert Pavementmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hydrogeological Mapping in the Semi-arid Environment of Eastern Jordan Using Airborne Multipolarized Radar Images

Saint-Jean¹,

Singhroy²

2000

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“…Radar is self-illuminating so that imaging can be formed anytime of the day or night and since radar wavelengths are longer than visible and infrared light, and cloudy or dusty conditions are irrelevant.Thus the independenceof radar with respect to weather and sun angle is an important factor in data acquisition and interpretation. Different landforms, such as escarpments, drainage networks, alluvial cover and geological structures are recognized (Evans, 1992;Saint-Jean, et. al., 1995;Chorowicz, et.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fault Traces in the Arid Arava Valley Floor, Israel, Revealed by RADARSAT Surface Roughness Classification

Arkin

Ichoku

Karnieli

1999

Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing

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RESUMEAu cours de la derniere decennie, l'analvse regionale des formes lineaires telles que lesfailles, lesjoints, lesflexu res, les fractures de la croute et les contacts lithologiques basee sur l'utilisation des techniques de teledetection a connu d'importants developpements dans le domaine de la recherche geologique. Les donnees numeriques radar obtenues apartir de satellites retiennent de plus en plus I'attention depuis quelques annees. Dans la presente etude, des donnees RADARSAT sont utilisees pour etudier la configuration tectonique d'une region situee dans la vallee de rift israelo-jordanienne d'Arava. Des etudes geologiques et geophysiques precedentes ont signale la presence de failles dans Ie [ond de la vallee quoique les caracteristiques de surface ne soient pas tres visibles a cause du peu de relief et des difficultes d'acces. L 'Ara va est une region aride atopographic relativement plane ou les facteurs tels que la pente et l'orientation ont une influence negligeable ou nulle sur la reponse du signal radar. Ainsi, la seule propriete qui peut influencer la retrodiffusion radar est la rugosite de surface. Dans ce travail, iI est demontre que la classification de la rugosite de surface peut etre particulierement utile pour determiner l'etendue des fa illes, observables sousforme de lineaments, dans la vallee de rift ou dies sont recouvertes de sediments de surface recents. La relation entre les surfaces de sable, de galets, de blocs ou la vegetation, seule ou en combinaison avec d'autres parametres, et identifiable au moyen de la rugosite de surface revele des traces de lineaments... SUMMARYRegional study ()f linear features, such as faults. joints, flexures, crustal fracturing and lithological contacts, using remote sensing techniques, have made important advances in geological research during the last decade. Radar digital data from satellites has gained increasing attention in the past few years. In the present study RADARSAT data is being used to investigate the tectonic configuration of an area in the Israel-Jordan Arava Rift Valley. Previous geological and geophysical studies have indicated the presence offaults in the valley floor, however surface expression is not obvious in the low relief and difficult access of the area. The Arava is a relatively flat arid area in which such radar response influences as surface slope and orientation are negligible or non-existent. Thus, the only property which can determine radar backscatter is surface roughness. In this work, the classification of radar surface roughness is shown to be particularly useful in tracing the extension of fault, recognized as lineaments, in the rift valley where they are covered by the recent superficial sediments. The relationship between surfaces formed by sand, pebbles, boulders or vegetation, singularly or in combination and identified by radar surface roughness, reveal the trace oflineaments.

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“…Recently, the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) has investigated the use of airborne and spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images for structural, lithological and geomorphologic mapping in various terrains in Canada and abroad (Lowman, 1994;Rivard et al, 1994;Saint-Jean et al, / 1995;Saint-Jean and Singhroy, 1997;Singhroy, 1996;Singhroy et al, 1992Singhroy et al, , 1993Warner et al, 1996). These studies have focused on evaluating the relative benefits of the viewing geometry of CCRS airborne SAR, ERS-I, JERS-I and RADARSAT-I for geologic mapping.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Relief on the Selection of RADARSAT-1 Incidence Angle for Geological Applications

Singhroy

Saint-Jean

1999

Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing

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RESUMECette recherche presente les lignes directrices pour la selection des angles d'incidence des images RADARSAT-I les plus appropries pour les applications en geologie. Les regions etudiees ont ete choisies de [aeon a representer une variete de types de terrains, tant au Canada qu'a l'etranger: On y retrouve des environnements montagneux a tres fort relief avec couvert forestier (Hope, C.-B.; Chine), des environnements au relief moyen a fort (Cap-Breton, N.-E.), des environnements a relief moyen avec couvert forestier et ayant subi des glaciations du bouclier canadien (Geraldton, ON; Sudbury, ON; Whitecourt, AB), et enfin des environnements au relief faible a ondulant, avec peu ou pas de vegetation, type prairie ou desert (Morden, MB; Jordanie). Les resultats revelent que la selection de la geometric optimale d' acquisition RADARSAT doit se faire en fonction du type d'applications et des caracteristiques du site. Des differences importantes apparaissent quant a la facilite d'interpretation des structures geologiques, des unites lithologiques et morphologiques et de la texture selon l'angle d'incidence choisi. Dans un environnement a faible relief, les petits angles d'incidence (entre 10 et 25 degres par rapport a la verticale) produisent un rehaussement maximal du relief; cependant, les angles d'incidence plus grands (entre 25 et 59 degres) produisent egalement un resultat acceptable puisqu'ils rehaussent les contrastes de texture. Dans un environnement a relief moyen, les angles d'incidence compris entre 20 et 35 degres produisent un bon rehaussement de la topographie. Enfin, dans un environnement a fort relief, les angles d'incidence moyens a grands (entre 35 et 59 deg res) sont recommandes afin de reduire les distorsions de geometric et de minimiser les effets d'ombres. SUMMARY Our research presents some guidelines for the selection of the various RADARSAT-I incidence angles for geological applications. The study areas were selected to represent different terrain types and surfaces both in Canada and around the world. The terrain types represented include: high relief, rugged, forested, mountainous environments (Hope, BC; China), moderate to high relief environments (Cape Breton Highlands, N.S.), moderate relief environments, glaciated, forested Precambrian Shield terrains (Geraldton, ON; Sudbury, ON; Whitecourt, AB), and low relief environments, partly vegetated, flat to rolling prairie landscapes (Morden, MB; Jordan).Our results show that the selection of the most useful RADARSAT-I viewing geometry is application and site specific. Significant difference exists in the interpretability of geological structure, lithological units, landform and terrain types depending on the incidence angle chosen for image acquisition. In low relief environments, small incidence angles (10 to 25 degrees from vertical) will produce the maximum relief enhancement, but larger incidence angles (25 to 59 degrees) will also result in acceptable terrain rendition by increasing the terrain textural contrasts. In moderate relief env...

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Geological Interpretation of Integrated SAR Images in the Azraq Area of Jordan

Cited by 8 publications

References 2 publications

Hydrogeological Mapping in the Semi-arid Environment of Eastern Jordan Using Airborne Multipolarized Radar Images

Hydrogeological Mapping in the Semi-arid Environment of Eastern Jordan Using Airborne Multipolarized Radar Images

Fault Traces in the Arid Arava Valley Floor, Israel, Revealed by RADARSAT Surface Roughness Classification

Effects of Relief on the Selection of RADARSAT-1 Incidence Angle for Geological Applications

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