Work

Ten years of polar ice velocity mapping using Copernicus Sentinel-1

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The Copernicus Sentinel-1 (S1) mission has provided a step change in the capabilities of polar satellite earth observation since 2014, addressing the challenge of limited Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data availability over ice sheets that existed previously. Since its launch, S1 has provided regular acquisitions every 6 to 12 days in Greenland, Antarctica, and other polar regions. This has enabled the set-up of an operational monitoring system for generating time series of key climate variables, such as ice velocity and discharge, with high spatial and temporal resolution. Leveraging the extensive S1 SAR archive, we have developed algorithms to generate detailed maps and dense time series of glacier and ice sheet velocity now spanning more than 10 years. Here we describe the processing line and highlight some of the key results. The velocity maps have been used for a wide range of applications in various studies. Our results demonstrate the S1 mission's exceptional ability for comprehensive monitoring of flow velocities on glaciers and ice sheets, thereby providing crucial data for ice dynamics and climate modelling.

Source: Remote Sensing of Environment

DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2025.115092

Authors: J. Wuite, T. Nagler, M. Hetzenecker, H. Rott

Institution: Environmental Earth Observation Information Technology (Austria)

Language: English

Topic: Cryospheric studies and observations

Subfield: Atmospheric Science

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,450