Characterization of Antarctic firn by means of ERS-1 scatterometer measurements

Mean intensities, angular dependence, and azimuthal anisotropy of backscattering were analyzed over Antarctica based on scatterometer measurements of ERS-1. The backscattering parameters enable discrimination of various types of snow and ice due to differences in morphology which is the result of accumulation rate, temperature, and wind activity. Azimuthal anisotropy is strongly pronounced in katabatic wind zones and can be related to dominating wind direction.