Study of arctic and antarctic ice dynamics and wind field by using Formosat-2 satellite data

The sea ice in polar region has been shrunk and thinned considerably with the rampant global temperature during the last few decades. It has already shown dramatic effects on regional water balance, ocean circulation and global climate. Nowadays, an extensive investigation and understanding of the environmental change in polar region becomes a crucial task. However, difficulties resulting from transportation, extreme weather, and seasonal cycle, as well as the lack of satellite coverage make the polar research extremely challenging. Successful launch of FORMOSAT-2 satellite by National Space Organization, Taiwan (NSPO) in 2006 is supposed to resolve the limitation of polar observation by providing daily high resolution images (8 m MS and 2 m Panchromatic) near two poles. This paper presents preliminary findings from time-series FORMOSAT-2 images over the Arctic sea and Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. Results indicate that wind erosion and ocean circulation shear force may take part in shaping the Arctic ice. In addition, the wind field over the Antarctic may be estimated.