Summary
Contents
Subject index
Remote sensing acquires and interprets small or large-scale data about the Earth from a distance. Using a wide range of spatial, spectral, temporal, and radiometric scales remote sensing is a large and diverse field for which this Handbook will be the key research reference. Illustrated throughout, an essential resource for the analysis of remotely sensed data, The SAGE Handbook of Remote Sensing provides researchers with a definitive statement of the core concepts and methodologies in the discipline.
Remote Sensing of the Cryosphere
Remote Sensing of the Cryosphere
Keywords
snow, ice, sea ice, glacier, permafrost.
What is the Cryosphere?
The cryosphere is the collective term to describe water in the solid form on Earth, including snow, river and lake ice, permafrost, glaciers, ice sheets and ice caps, and sea ice. In Earth's climate, the cryosphere is important because snow and ice comprise cold, wet, bright surfaces that reflect most of the incoming solar radiation back to the atmosphere and to space. Snow and ice therefore significantly affect energy and mass exchange between Earth's surface and atmosphere and are important reservoirs of fresh water.
Study of the cryosphere through remote sensing is addressed through its different components. In this chapter, I consider seasonal snow cover, mountain glaciers and ice ...
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