High-resolution Sea-ICE motions from AMSR-E imagery

Abstract

AbstractPassive microwave remote-sensing imagery has proven to be a useful Source for Sea-ICE motions because of its all-sky capabilities. However, the low Spatial resolution of the passive microwave Sensors has not allowed the retrieval of Small-scale motion details Such as lead and ridge formation. The NAsA Earth Observing System Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR-E) has more than double the Spatial resolution of previous passive microwave Sensors, allowing it to track the formation of moderate-sized leads and yield much more detailed and more accurate ICE-motion estimates. Comparisons with buoys indicate that AMSR-E motions have errors >30% lower than ICE motions derived from the previous passive microwave Sensors. While AMSR-E Still cannot retrieve the Same level of detail as Synthetic aperture radars or visible/infrared Sensors, AMSR-E’s complete coverage can better capture the ephemeral motions of the Sea-ICE cover on daily, and potentially Sub-daily, timescales.