Abstract
This paper illustrates the application feasibilities of airborne and spaceborne radar images for the detection and delineation of impact structures.
Especially in tropical and subtropical environments that are often obscured on aerial photographs and LANDSAT images by cloud cover or by a dense vegetation, SLAR (Side Looking Airborne Radar) images have become a useful tool for reconnaissance work and have contributed to the detection and to the geomorphologic and geologic investigation of impact structures. The example from the complex Araguainha impact structures in Central Brazil is summarized here to demonstrate the value of SLAR Projeto RADAMBRASIL X-band radar mosaics (1976) for the investigation of this structure.
In arid and semi-arid areas, spaceborne SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) L-band images acquired by the Space Shuttle Columbia in November 1981 have clearly demonstrated their value for the detection of still unknown geologic features due to the susceptibility of radar signals to the micro- and macro-relief and to the capability of radar signals to penetrate into dry sedimentary covers up to several meters. A large number of circular structures covered by thin sedimentary layers have become visible on the SIR-A (Shuttle Imaging Radar) images because of this penetration capability, among them circular features with impact origin.
Examples of known and suggested impact craters are demonstrated from North Algeria, Southeast Syria and North Saudi Arabia.
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© 1987 Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden
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Theilen-Willige, B. (1987). The Use of Airborne and Spaceborne Radar Images for the Detection and Investigation of Impact Structures. In: Pohl, J. (eds) Research in Terrestrial Impact Structures. Earth Evolution Sciences. Vieweg+Teubner Verlag, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-663-01889-6_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-663-01889-6_6
Publisher Name: Vieweg+Teubner Verlag, Wiesbaden
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