Crevasse and rift detection in Antarctica from TerraSAR-X satellite imagery

Surface crevasses covered by snow bridges can be mapped remotely on ice sheets and glaciers using active microwave synthetic aperture radar. They are highlighted against the surrounding due to increased scattering from side-walls base of usually appear as linear features. The contrast between crevasse-free regions depends design sensor, image acquisition parameters properties snow. Here we quantify how crevassed represented at X-band for different polarizations, look directions incidence angles, discuss whether additional information about their physical gained radar signature. Snow bridge thicknesses crevasse widths measured ground in McMurdo Shear Zone Brunt Ice Shelf ground-penetrating excavation. TerraSAR-X is shown reliably distinguish location, balancing penetration into horizontal resolution. We provide recommendations imaging that optimize identification individual regions.