Flood mapping of Yialias River catchment area in Cyprus using ALOS  PALSAR radar images

Dimitrios D. Alexakis; Diofantos G. Hadjimitsis; Athos Agapiou; Kyriacos Themistocleous; Adrianos Retalis; Silas Michaelides; Stelios Pashiardis; F. Tymvios

doi:10.1117/12.974581

19 October 2012 Flood mapping of Yialias River catchment area in Cyprus using ALOS PALSAR radar images

Dimitrios D. Alexakis, Diofantos G. Hadjimitsis, Athos Agapiou, Kyriacos Themistocleous, Adrianos Retalis, Silas Michaelides, Stelios Pashiardis, F. Tymvios

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8531, Remote Sensing for Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Hydrology XIV; 85310S (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.974581
Event: SPIE Remote Sensing, 2012, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

This study strives to highlight the potential of flood inundation monitoring and mapping in a catchment area in Cyprus (Yialias river) with the use of radar satellite images. Due to the lack of satellite data acquired during dates flood inundation events took place, the research team selected specific images acquired during dates that severe precipitation events were recorded from the rain gauge station network of Cyprus Meteorological Service in the specific study area. The relationship between soil moisture and precipitation was thoroughly studied and linear regression models were developed to predict future flood inundation events. Specifically, the application of fully polarimetric (ALOS PALSAR) and data acquired over different dates for soil moisture mapping is presented. The PALSAR (Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar) sensor carried by the ALOS (Advanced Land Observing Satellite) have quadruple polarizations (HH, VV, HV, VH). The amount of returned radiation (as backscatter echoes) that dictates the brightness of the image depends on factors such as the roughness, size of the target relative to the signal’s wavelength, volumetric and diffused scattering. The variation in soil moisture pattern during different precipitation events is presented through soil moisture maps obtained from ALOS PALSAR and data acquired during different dates with different precipitation rates. Soil moisture variation is clearly seen through soil moisture maps and the developed regression models are used to simulate future inundation events. The results indicated the considerable potential of radar satellite images in soil moisture and flood mapping in catchments areas of Mediterranean region.

Citation Download Citation

Dimitrios D. Alexakis, Diofantos G. Hadjimitsis, Athos Agapiou, Kyriacos Themistocleous, Adrianos Retalis, Silas Michaelides, Stelios Pashiardis, and F. Tymvios "Flood mapping of Yialias River catchment area in Cyprus using ALOS PALSAR radar images", Proc. SPIE 8531, Remote Sensing for Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Hydrology XIV, 85310S (19 October 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.974581

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available