Natural Environment
Geomorphology of subglacial volcanoes
I researched about the significance of topographical information, particularly high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs), in assessing volcanic activities, with a focus on the 2014–2015 Bárðarbunga eruption in Iceland. During this eruption, a rare caldera collapse and significant lava effusion were observed. My study involves analysing TanDEM-X DEMs to evaluate topographical changes, including volumetric variations during the eruption. The research revealed significant vertical displacements in the eruption areas and highlighted the impact of various factors, such as microwave penetration into snow and active lava flows, on DEM accuracy. The study was crucial in reducing uncertainties in volume calculations and understanding the temporal developments and relationships between different volcanic activities, such as caldera collapse and magma drainage.
Reference: Rossi et al., “Temporal monitoring of subglacial volcanoes with TanDEM-X — Application to the 2014–2015 eruption within the Bárðarbunga volcanic system, Iceland”, Remote Sensing of Environment, 2016.
Rice production assessment
I demonstrated that bistatic interferometric missions, primarily designed for generating global elevation models, have proven effective in measuring the height of rice plants from space with surprising accuracy. They can monitor the growth of rice plants through various stages, from vegetation to harvest, with absolute errors in height measurement ranging from a few centimetres to up to 20 centimetres. This EO data, paired with dedicated GPS campaigns, have been used to map and monitor rice plant heights over specific periods, aiding in analysing growth trends on a field-by-field basis. This technology is especially valuable for agricultural planning and production volume estimations, and it is essential for managing and monitoring rice farming activities, given the increasing global demand for rice.
Reference: Rossi et al., “Paddy-Rice Monitoring Using TanDEM-X”, IEEE Transaction on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 2014.
