Open AccessAtlas of Antarctica: Topographic Maps From Geostatistical Analysis of Satellite Radar Altimeter Data
Author(s) -
Luyendyk Bruce
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/2005eo500007
Subject(s) - geology , altimeter , geoid , remote sensing , geodetic datum , satellite , atlas (anatomy) , geodesy , satellite altimetry , satellite imagery , geophysics , paleontology , aerospace engineering , engineering , measured depth
The shape of the Antarctic continent was only determined after the mid‐twentieth century to any reasonable accuracy by a combination of spotty geodetic surveys, aerial photography and satellite imagery. The advent of satellite radar altimetry late in that century allowed mapping the geoid of the ocean basins. The result was a new understanding of the tectonics and evolution of the ocean basins. Now, a few researchers have applied radar altimetry to determining the shape and ice mass of the Antarctic. Ute Herzfeld's book represents a monumental effort to map the topography of the coastal regions of Antarctica to high accuracy by these means.