ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the potential hazardous nature of sea ice and its detection by using Earth observation (EO) techniques, in order to understand the mechanisms of the ice hazard, check feasibility for making possible predictions, and take effective mitigation measures. An ice hazard may originate from any of the following features/types of ice: ice edge, thaw holes, rough ice, ice leads, and oil spill in sea ice. Microwave sensors are well suited for polar regions due to their all-weather capability. CryoSat-2 provides one of the best available datasets of ice thickness to assess the severity of ice hazard. Ice motion maps have been created by using synthetic aperture radar with good level of reliability in the retrieval. We have high confidence in EO technology for detecting ice leads by using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer–EO System. Detection of ice roughness by using microwave EO techniques poses challenges due to complexity in microwave response from rough ice over time- and space-varying surface properties. TerraSAR-X and MODIS have proved to be very useful in estimating melt pond fraction. Ice edge detection algorithms have been developed by using QuikSCAT and special sensor microwave/imager. Studying oil spill in ice requires multisensor EO approach, combining optical (hyperspectral) and microwave, ultraviolet, acoustic, and underwater sensors, as we grow our understanding of physical basis of oil–ice interaction. The integrated use of various types of in situ and EO data assimilated into theoretical models is required to effectively mitigate the consequences of a sea ice hazard.
