Synthetic aperture radar interferometry to measure Earth's surface topography and its deformation

Synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR) from Earth-orbiting spacecr aft provides a new tool to map global topography and deformation of the Ear th's surface. Radar images taken from slightly different viewing directions allow the construction of digital elevation models of meter-scale accuracy . These data sets aid in the analysis and interpretation of tectonic and vo lcanic landscapes. If the Earth's surface deformed between two radar image acquisitions, a map of the surface displacement with tens-of-meters resolut ion and subcentimeter accuracy can be constructed. This review gives a basi c overview of InSAR for Earth scientists and presents a selection of geolog ic applications that demonstrate the unique capabilities of InSAR for mappi ng the topography and deformation of the Earth.