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26. SIR-B Radar Data and Air Photography, Kilauea, Hawaii
26. SIR-B Radar Data and Air Photography, Kilauea, Hawaii

A direct comparison between the space shuttle imaging radar (SIR-B) radar data and air photography of the December 1974 lava flow (Ka’u Desert, Hawaii) shows how easily the a’a portion of the flow can be identified against a background of poorly reflecting ash deposits. In contrast, the pahoehoe portions of the flow (at right) are barely visible in the SIR-B data because of their specular characteristics (at 48° incidence angle most of the radar energy is reflected away from the radar antenna). Compare this remote-sensing view with the ground photographs of the same area shown in slide #27. North is to the right in this view.

SIR-B 115.2.

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