Surface landscape processes under Earth's changing climate analyzed using satellite radar interferometry

Abstract:

The evolution of the Earth’s surface is shaped by a complex interplay of the lithosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere, with climate playing a crucial role in driving processes such as rock weathering, erosion, and tectonic shifts. The rapid changes observed in the modern climate, driven by anthropogenic carbon emissions, have led to a notable increase in global temperatures with a rise of over 1.5°C since pre-industrial times. This dramatic shift in the global climate is expected to significantly impact Earth's surface processes, reshaping landscapes in unprecedented ways.

Utilizing advanced remote sensing techniques, particularly Interferometry of Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), this thesis examines two landform that demonstrate significant sensitivity to rapid changing environmental conditions: salt glaciers in the Dead Sea region and cryovolcanism in Arctic permafrost. Over a period of 9.5 years, InSAR data was employed to investigate the dynamics of Mt. Sedom’s salt glacier, revealing both long-term uplift patterns and short-term responses to seasonal atmospheric changes, as well as reactions to significant rainfall events. Additionally, the study focused on explosive gas emission craters (GECs) in Arctic permafrost, using remote sensing data to distinguish between traditional pingos and rapidly formed GEC mound-predecessors. These works not only highlight the importance of advanced remote sending technologies in monitoring Earth’s surface dynamics, which also enhances our understanding of linkage between climate change and landscape evolution.

Lastly, the challenges associated with handling large-scale SAR datasets were recognized in the above studies. As a result, a novel compression strategy was developed for complex SAR images, facilitating efficient data management without compromising analytical accuracy. This advancement enhances the accessibility and efficiency of InSAR analyses, paving the way for more comprehensive monitoring of Earth's rapidly changing landscapes.