Synthetic Aperture Radar: Hazards from edX

What's inside

Learning objectives

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
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
Participants in this course will develop the following skills:

Syllabus

Week 1: Course Introduction and Basic Capabilities of SAR & InSAR

Week 1 will introduce you to the main content and structure of this course. You will also learn about the lab environment that will be available for learners on the “verified track”. The following items will be addressed:

Introduction to course

Presentation of course syllabus

Basic principles and capabilities of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging

Concepts of Interferometric SAR processing and its applications to disaster monitoring

Verified Track: Lab exercise on exploring SAR time series for flooding events

Verified Track: Lab exercise analyzing and interpreting InSAR products

Week 2: InSAR Time Series Analysis Techniques

InSAR time series analysis techniques enable the tracking of cm-scale surface displacements over long times. These techniques are relevant for a number of hazard applications such as landslide and volcano monitoring. In Week 2 we will address:

The Concept of InSAR Time Series Analysis

Point Target-Based InSAR Time Series Analysis

Distributed Scatterer InSAR Time Series Analysis

Verified Track: Lab exercise exploring PSI time series data over Norway

Week 3: Disaster Monitoring using SAR Image Data

SAR sensors are highly stable imaging systems that are ideal for the identification of changes on the earth surface. Week 3 will introduce participants to a range of techniques to monitor hazard events and identify changes from multi-temporal SAR images.

Surface water signatures in SAR

A Threshold-based surface water mapping method

Verified Track: Hands-on flood mapping using Jupyter Notebooks

SAR change detection techniques

Verified Track: Lab exercise on time series change detection to map deforestation

Week 4: Disaster Monitoring using InSAR Techniques

In this part of the course, we will apply the information learned in Week 4 to monitor surface displacements at volcanoes and in landslide-prone areas. Specifically, Week 6 will address the following items:

Review of InSAR workflow for a geophysical application

Estimating volcano source model parameters from InSAR

Verified Track: Lab exercise estimating Mogi source parameters for Okmok volcano, Alaska

Landslides monitoring using SBAS InSAR

Verified Track: Lab exercise mapping landslide motion in California using InSAR time series data

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), a remote sensing technology, and its applications in disaster monitoring

Teaches how to access and visualize SAR data, interpret SAR imagery, and use SAR change detection for hazard analysis

Involves hands-on lab exercises using Jupyter Notebooks

Taught by instructors from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, selected as the NASA data hub for the upcoming NISAR mission

Useful for disaster response personnel, environmental scientists, and professionals in natural hazard management

Involves simulated disaster response exercises where participants analyze real-life disaster events

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Synthetic Aperture Radar: Hazards with these activities:

Course Notes Compilation

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Stay organized and enhance your understanding by compiling a comprehensive set of course notes, ensuring you have a valuable resource for future reference.

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Review and gather notes from lectures, readings, and other course materials.
Organize and structure the notes in a logical and accessible way.

Review 'Synthetic Aperture Radar for Remote Sensing'

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Gain a deeper understanding of the principles and applications of SAR remote sensing technology by reviewing a comprehensive text in the field.

View Synthetic Aperture Radar on Amazon

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Read the selected chapters relevant to the topics covered in this course.

Review Basic Mathematics Refresher

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Get up to speed on any rusty math skills to ensure you can follow and understand complex mathematical formulas throughout the course.

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Go over the main concepts of calculus.
Practice solving basic integrals and derivatives.
Review the concepts of vectors and matrices.

Five other activities

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Peer SAR Image Analysis

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Collaborate with peers to analyze and interpret SAR images, enhancing your understanding and ability to identify hazards from satellite data.

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Join or form a study group with other course participants.
Select a SAR image and discuss your observations.
Compare and contrast your interpretations with your peers.

Time Series Analysis Exercise

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Develop a stronger understanding and ability to analyze time series data, which is crucial for understanding disaster patterns and trends.

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Explore a time series dataset and identify patterns.
Apply time series forecasting techniques.
Evaluate the performance of different forecasting models.

InSAR Processing Tutorial

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Gain practical experience in InSAR processing, enabling you to analyze and interpret InSAR data for disaster monitoring applications.

Browse courses on Remote Sensing

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Follow an online or offline tutorial on InSAR processing.
Apply the learned techniques to process InSAR data.
Interpret the processed InSAR data.

SAR-Based Hazard Map

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Apply your knowledge to create a SAR-based hazard map, demonstrating your ability to identify and map potential hazards using SAR data.

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Select a disaster-prone area.
Acquire and process SAR data for the area.
Identify potential hazards using SAR image analysis.
Create a hazard map based on your analysis.

Contributing on InSAR-Based Disaster Response Projects

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Make a meaningful contribution to the field by participating in open-source projects related to InSAR-based disaster response.

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Identify open-source projects that align with the course's focus.
Join the project's community and communicate your interest in contributing.
Take on a specific task or issue within the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Synthetic Aperture Radar: Hazards will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Natural Hazards Manager

Natural Hazards Managers develop and implement plans to prepare for and respond to natural disasters. They work with government agencies, businesses, and community groups to ensure that people and property are protected. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Natural Hazards Manager, as you will learn about how to use SAR data to map hazards such as flooding, landslides, and volcanoes. This information is essential for Natural Hazards Managers, as it can help them to better understand the risks posed by natural disasters and to develop effective plans to mitigate those risks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Natural Hazards Manager

Geophysicist

Geophysicists study the physical properties of the Earth. They use their knowledge to find and extract natural resources, such as oil, gas, and minerals. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Geophysicist, as you will learn about how to use SAR data to measure cm-scale surface deformation related to volcanic activity and landslides. This information is essential for Geophysicists, as it can help them to better understand the Earth's physical properties.

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Geologist

Geologists study the Earth's physical structure and history. They use their knowledge to find and extract natural resources, such as oil, gas, and minerals. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Geologist, as you will learn about how to use SAR data to map hazards such as landslides and volcanoes. This information is essential for Geologists, as it can help them to better understand the Earth's structure and history.

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Cartographer

Cartographers create maps and other documents that represent the Earth's surface. They use their knowledge to design and produce maps that are accurate, informative, and visually appealing. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Cartographer, as you will learn about how to use SAR data to create accurate maps of the Earth's surface. This information is essential for Cartographers, as it can help them to create maps that are more accurate and reliable.

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GIS Analyst

GIS Analysts use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to create maps and other documents that represent the Earth's surface. They use their knowledge to analyze and visualize data about the Earth's surface, such as land cover, water bodies, and vegetation. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful GIS Analyst, as you will learn about how to use SAR data to create maps and other documents that represent the Earth's surface. This information is essential for GIS Analysts, as it can help them to create maps and other documents that are more accurate and reliable.

See salaries and explore the career path for GIS Analyst

Hydrologist

Hydrologists study the movement and quality of water on Earth and in the atmosphere. They use their knowledge to solve problems related to water resources, such as flooding, drought, and water pollution. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Hydrologist, as you will learn about how to use Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data to map hazards such as flooding and deforestation. This information is essential for Hydrologists, as it can help them to better understand how water moves and changes over time.

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Remote Sensing Analyst

Remote Sensing Analysts use satellite and aerial imagery to collect data about the Earth's surface. They use their knowledge to identify and classify different features of the Earth's surface, such as land cover, water bodies, and vegetation. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Remote Sensing Analyst, as you will learn about how to use SAR data to collect data about the Earth's surface. This information is essential for Remote Sensing Analysts, as it can help them to collect data that is more accurate and reliable.

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Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and its components. They use their knowledge to solve problems related to environmental pollution, climate change, and natural resource management. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Environmental Scientist, as you will learn about how to use SAR data to monitor environmental change. This information is essential for Environmental Scientists, as it can help them to better understand the impacts of human activity on the environment and to develop effective strategies to protect the environment.

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Photogrammetrist

Photogrammetrists use aerial and satellite images to create maps and other documents. They use their knowledge to measure distances, elevations, and other features of the Earth's surface. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Photogrammetrist, as you will learn about how to use SAR data to create accurate maps and other documents. This information is essential for Photogrammetrists, as it can help them to create maps that are more accurate and reliable.

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Land Surveyor

Land Surveyors measure and map the Earth's surface. They use their knowledge to create maps, boundary lines, and other documents that are used for a variety of purposes, such as land development, construction, and navigation. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Land Surveyor, as you will learn about how to use SAR data to create accurate maps of the Earth's surface. This information is essential for Land Surveyors, as it can help them to create maps that are more accurate and reliable.

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Forester

Foresters manage forests and forest resources. They use their knowledge to protect forests from fire, disease, and other threats. They also work to improve forest health and productivity. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Forester, as you will learn about how to use SAR data to monitor forest health and change. This information is essential for Foresters, as it can help them to better understand the impacts of human activity on forests and to develop effective strategies to protect forests.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make decisions. They use their knowledge to analyze data, identify trends, and develop models that can be used to predict future outcomes. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Data Scientist, as you will learn about how to use SAR data to analyze data and identify trends. This information is essential for Data Scientists, as it can help them to develop models that are more accurate and reliable.

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Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design, develop, and test electrical systems. They use their knowledge to create systems that are efficient, reliable, and safe. This course may be useful for Electrical Engineers who want to learn about how to use SAR data to develop new electrical systems. This information could be useful for developing new systems that are used to analyze and visualize SAR data.

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Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists research and develop new computer technologies. They use their knowledge to create new ways to store, process, and transmit data. This course may be useful for Computer Scientists who want to learn about how to use SAR data to develop new computer technologies. This information could be useful for developing new technologies that are used to analyze and visualize SAR data.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and test software applications. They use their knowledge to create software that is efficient, reliable, and user-friendly. This course may be useful for Software Engineers who want to learn about how to use SAR data to develop software applications. This information could be useful for developing software applications that are used to analyze and visualize SAR data.

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