Fast extracting and change detection of dammed lakes using highresolution SAR images: A case study of Tangjiashan Dammed Lake

Wenchuan Earthquake has caused many huge landslides in the rivers in Sichuan Province. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology played an irreplaceable role in rapid response to Wenchuan Earthquake monitoring and damage assessment. In this paper, Tangjiashan Dammed Lake was taken as a case study area for fast extracting and change detection with continuously acquired multi-temporal high-resolution SAR images. By June 12, 2008, we had identified dozens of dammed lakes in the area heavily affected by the Wenchuan Earthquake using high-resolution SAR images. In order to make a scientific evaluation of the disaster situation and provide efficient and instantaneous rescue action in the future, an effective method was developed for rapid extraction and change detection of dammed lakes.