Course description
Synthetic Aperture Radar: Hazards
Remote sensing observations from airborne and spaceborne platforms have become an essential tool in disaster management. They provide an immediate and large-area overview of evolving disaster situations, revealing important hazard information to disaster response personnel.
This course will introduce you to Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), a remote sensing technology that can see the ground even during darkness and through rain, clouds, or smoke. As a participant in this course, you will gain an intuitive understanding of the information contained in SAR observations and learn to use a range of analysis techniques to apply SAR data to disaster mapping and management. Specific topics will include:
- The mathematical and physical principles of SAR remote sensing
- How to access and visualize SAR data
- Interpretation of SAR images in the context of disaster monitoring
- Interferometric SAR (InSAR) concepts
- Flood mapping and SAR change detection for hazard analysis
- InSAR-based analysis of volcanoes and landslides
The learned concepts will be put into action in simulated disaster response exercises, in which class participants will analyze SAR data sets to create hazard information for several real-life disaster events from the recent past.
Learners registered for the verified track will additionally get the opportunity for hands-on lab exercises using Jupyter Notebooks. The verified track will also include peer discussions and a verified certificate upon successful completion.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
Prerequisites
- General proficiency in GIS
- For verified track: Basic knowledge in Python programming
- ARSET Level-0 Training “Fundamentals of Remote Sensing” or equivalent
- ARSET Level-1 Training “Introduction to Synthetic Aperture Radar” or equivalent
Outcome / Qualification etc.
What you'll learn
Participants in this course will develop the following skills:
- Intuitive understanding of SAR image and phase information
- Understanding the properties of different SAR sensor types
- Ability to pick the optimal sensor for your application
- Creation of RGB color visualizations from images acquired at different times or in different polarizations
- Use of SAR images to map hazards such as flooding and deforestation
- Use of interferometric SAR techniques to measure cm-scale surface deformation related to volcanic activity and landslides
Training Course Content
- Course Introduction and Basic Capabilities of SAR & InSAR
- InSAR Time Series Analysis Techniques
- Disaster Monitoring using SAR Image Data
- Disaster Monitoring using InSAR Techniques
Course delivery details
This course is offered through University of Alaska Fairbanks, a partner institute of EdX.
4-6 hours per week
Expenses
- Verified Track -$179
- Audit Track - Free