Active Systems

Example 1 – Terrain mapping and treetop geology; Canadian Foothills, Alberta

This example illustrates the advantages of using radar imagery when mapping terrains and structures in areas covered by vegetation. The airborne radar and the Landsat scenes are from the Canadian Foothills, just west of Calgary, Alberta. The radar imagery clearly highlights the fold and thrust belt of the Rockies as well as some major glacial features in front of the mountain belt. These features are not well depicted in the Landsat scene due to the vegetation cover. The radar data is more useful since it is sensitive to surface roughness and can easily image the topography of the treetops.