BUSINESS PROCESS

SD, IN, SO  

DESCRIPTION

Fast ice is defined by the fact that it does not move with the winds or currents.

EO INFORMATION OF INTEREST

Sea ice detection and drifting analysis

MAIN PROCESS STEPS

Fast ice can be detected by two SAR images over the same area, better if acquired at long time intervals, or accessing CMEMS products listed below

INPUT DATA SOURCE

X-, C- and S-band SAR data; better using VV or HH polarization, where ice features are more evident.

SPATIAL RESOLUTION AND COVERAGE

Coverage limited to the overlapping area of the two SAR images, spatial resolution up to 10 times the original SAR resolution (some data aggregation are used). Spatial resolution of the final product is depending on the input data, ranging between tens of meters and hundreds of meters.

ACCURACY / CONSTRAINS

Fast ice mapping requires an accurate land mask

LIMITATIONS

The main limitation is in the generation of an accurate coast land mask.

The interpretation of data can indeed be challenging, especially when handled by personnel without extensive experience in the field.

TEMPORAL RESOLUTION

Monthly at least; it has to higlighted that long time interval acquisitions better support the detection.

UPDATE FREQUENCY

Maps can be updated any time a new SAR image is acquired

DELIVERY / OUTPUT FORMAT

NetCDF-3, NetCDF-4

ACCESSIBILITY

Copernicus marine service and Artic hub