Abstract's details
Multi-frequency radar scattering analysis using SWOT
Event: 2025 SWOT Science Team Meeting
Session: Cryosphere: Sea Ice, SLA and glaciers
Presentation type: Poster
Our study focuses on the radar scattering behaviour across Ka-, Ku-, and C-band frequencies over sea ice, particularly in the Weddell Sea area. Using data collected from SWOT’s KaRIn and nadir altimeters, we explore frequency-dependencies, looking at variables such as radar backscatter, sea surface height (SSH), and range.
The goal is to examine how these variables differ across radar frequencies, and therefore how this effects the estimation of the sea ice freeboard. For example, we compare radar penetration and scattering at Ku- and C-band and find that they range to the same point over leads, but differ over snow and sea ice. By analysing these datasets, including frequencies and retracker choices, we can identify characteristics of radar frequencies for measuring snow and ice depths and surface characteristics over sea ice.
Our findings contribute to a better understanding and interpretation of SWOT observations in the cryosphere and support the improvement of satellite-derived sea ice freeboard measurements. This enhances our understanding of how the cryosphere is responding to climate change and the rate at which it’s doing so. By exploiting the single platform of SWOT with KaRIn and nadar altimeters, we can also provide insights into interpretation of data from other existing (e.g. CryoSat and AltiKa) and future (e.g. CRISTAL) satellite missions.
Our work contributes to the CASSIA (Cryosphere Applications for SWOT SAR Interferometry and Altimetry) project, given that it assesses the ability of SWOT’s instruments in providing reliable and accurate measurements for cryosphere monitoring.
Back to the list of abstractThe goal is to examine how these variables differ across radar frequencies, and therefore how this effects the estimation of the sea ice freeboard. For example, we compare radar penetration and scattering at Ku- and C-band and find that they range to the same point over leads, but differ over snow and sea ice. By analysing these datasets, including frequencies and retracker choices, we can identify characteristics of radar frequencies for measuring snow and ice depths and surface characteristics over sea ice.
Our findings contribute to a better understanding and interpretation of SWOT observations in the cryosphere and support the improvement of satellite-derived sea ice freeboard measurements. This enhances our understanding of how the cryosphere is responding to climate change and the rate at which it’s doing so. By exploiting the single platform of SWOT with KaRIn and nadar altimeters, we can also provide insights into interpretation of data from other existing (e.g. CryoSat and AltiKa) and future (e.g. CRISTAL) satellite missions.
Our work contributes to the CASSIA (Cryosphere Applications for SWOT SAR Interferometry and Altimetry) project, given that it assesses the ability of SWOT’s instruments in providing reliable and accurate measurements for cryosphere monitoring.