Time-delayed reflections in L-band synthetic aperture radar imagery of icebergs

In some L-band synthetic aperture radar imagery of icebergs, there are relatively strong reflections which do not exist on the coincident X-band imagery and which do not correspond to attributable surface roughness or features. As these false images appear on the down-range side of the iceberg, they were originally explained as multiple reflections within the iceberg. It is shown that the majority of the observations correspond to the expected positions of a transit to and from the ice-water interface at the bottom surface of the iceberg. Factors governing observation of the bottom surface reflection and its significance in terms of underwater draught are discussed