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Mapping Japan's changed landscape from space (Forwarded)



 
 
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Old March 19th 11, 12:44 AM posted to sci.space.news
Andrew Yee[_1_]
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Default Mapping Japan's changed landscape from space (Forwarded)

ESA News
http://www.esa.int

16 March 2011

Mapping Japan's changed landscape from space

Following the massive earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on 11 March,
satellite imagery has been vital in providing a clear picture of the extent
of devastation to aid the relief effort now underway.

In response to this event, which turned out to be the biggest earthquake
Japan has suffered in living memory, the International Charter 'Space and
Major Disasters' was triggered by the Cabinet Office of Japan the same day
the earthquake struck.

As a result, satellite images from several space agencies and operators from
around the world are being used to map and assess the stricken areas.

Founded 10 years ago, the International Charter is a unique mechanism to
ensure that timely satellite images are made freely available to authorities
and aid workers coping with the aftermath of a disaster.

By combining Earth observation data from different space agencies, the
Charter allows resources and expertise from around the world to be
coordinated for rapid response to major disasters.

The value of the initiative lies in the way it has been set up to gather and
coordinate a range of different satellite data, turn them into usable
products and provide a single access point to the products 24 hours a day, 7
days a week, and at no cost to the user.

Demonstrating the incredible power that Earth can unleash, the devastation
caused by the 8.9-magnitude quake has left the world stunned.

Japan's northwestern coastline is thought to have shifted by as much as 4 m
to the east and whole towns have been washed away by the tsunami, completely
changing the landscape.

Satellite maps are providing essential information for search and rescue
teams on the ground and for damage assessment. Before-and-after images show
how the land has changed and where buildings and roads once stood.

Work is being coordinated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA,
and the Asian Institute of Technology. Data are being used from a wide range
of satellites such as Germany's TerraSAR-X and RapidEye, Frances SPOT-5 and
ESA's Envisat along with high-resolution optical imagery from US satellites.

Over 63 satellite acquisitions were made in the first 48 hours following the
event. These are being used by relief teams and decision-makers responding
to the disaster.

A large collaboration is at work to exploit data offering value-adding
analysis with specialist centres from France (Sertit), Germany (DLR-ZKI) and
the United Nations (UNITAR/UNOSAT), while JAXA provide dedicated mapping
service to the Japanese authorities.

Over the coming weeks, access to updated satellite products will prove
essential for continued crisis response and also to start precise damage
assessment for recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Satellite data will also be used to help further our understanding of these
geological threats and ultimately help with future warning systems.

Japan lies on the infamous Ring of Fire, an active zone that almost
encircles the Pacific Rim. As such, Japan is listed as a 'supersite', an
area known to be at high risk of seismic events.

The Geo-Hazard Supersites initiative, coordinated by the Group on Earth
Observations, is exploiting 20 years of satellite radar observations to
further our understanding of geological risk.

The aim is to exploit interferometric processing to provide very precise
terrain deformation mapping before and during a seismic event to improve our
understanding of the tectonic phenomena in Japan.

As another example of different space agencies working together, the
initiative promotes research into geohazards by providing the worldwide
scientific community with easy access to a full spectrum of datasets.

[NOTE: Images and weblinks supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/SEMY...G_index_1.html ]

 




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