Thematic Applications of ERS-ENVISAT Cross-Interferometry

ERS-ENVISAT cross-interferometry is a unique tool for a number of applications since it combines a short repeat-pass interval (28 minutes) with a long perpendicular baseline (2 km). Temporal decorrelation effects are limited and the sensitivity to topographic features is strongly enhanced. The short repeat-pass also allows monitoring of fast-moving displacements. In this paper we show a number of examples on Digital Elevation Map (DEM) generation in flat areas, crop height retrieval and displacement monitoring using data from the recent tandem mission dedicated to ERS-ENVISAT interferometric acquisitions. The examples demonstrate the feasibility of the applications, highlighting at the same time some limitations, which are due primarily to the very specific configuration of the interferometric system.