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Observing Global Surface Water Flood Dynamics

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The Earth's Hydrological Cycle

Part of the book series: Space Sciences Series of ISSI ((SSSI,volume 46))

Abstract

Flood waves moving along river systems are both a key determinant of globally important biogeochemical and ecological processes and, at particular times and particular places, a major environmental hazard. In developed countries, sophisticated observing networks and ancillary data, such as channel bathymetry and floodplain terrain, exist with which to understand and model floods. However, at global scales, satellite data currently provide the only means of undertaking such studies. At present, there is no satellite mission dedicated to observing surface water dynamics and, therefore, surface water scientists make use of a range of sensors developed for other purposes that are distinctly sub-optimal for the task in hand. Nevertheless, by careful combination of the data available from topographic mapping, oceanographic, cryospheric and geodetic satellites, progress in understanding some of the world’s major river, floodplain and wetland systems can be made. This paper reviews the surface water data sets available to hydrologists on a global scale and the recent progress made in the field. Further, the paper looks forward to the proposed NASA/CNES Surface Water Ocean Topography satellite mission that may for the first time provide an instrument that meets the needs of the hydrology community.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, University Road, Bristol, BS8 1SS, UK

    Paul D. Bates & Jefferey C. Neal

  2. Byrd Polar Research Center, School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, 123 Scott Hall, 1090 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH, 43210-1308, USA

    Douglas Alsdorf

  3. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91109, USA

    Guy J.-P. Schumann

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  1. Paul D. Bates
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  2. Jefferey C. Neal
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  3. Douglas Alsdorf
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  4. Guy J.-P. Schumann
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Correspondence to Paul D. Bates .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. International Space Science Institute, Hallerstrasse 6, 3012, Bern, Switzerland

    Lennart Bengtsson , R.-M. Bonnet  & M. Calisto ,  & 

  2. Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 8, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden

    G. Destouni

  3. University of Reading, Earley Gate 3, RG6 6AL, Reading, United Kingdom

    R. Gurney

  4. Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center, Thormøhlens gate 47, 5006, Bergen, Norway

    J. Johannessen

  5. Center for the Study of the Biosphere from Space, Avenue Edouard Belin 18, 31401, Toulouse, France

    Y. Kerr

  6. Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Instituttveien 18, 2027, Kjeller, Norway

    W.A. Lahoz

  7. ESA-ESRIN, Via Galileo Galilei, 00044, Frascati, Italy

    M. Rast

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Bates, P.D., Neal, J.C., Alsdorf, D., Schumann, G.JP. (2013). Observing Global Surface Water Flood Dynamics. In: Bengtsson, L., et al. The Earth's Hydrological Cycle. Space Sciences Series of ISSI, vol 46. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8789-5_16

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