Abstract
Variations of continental water storage and related changes of water surface extensions are being observed by a variety of contemporary geometrical and gravimetrical space observation systems and in-situ measuring instruments. Within a regional multi-sensor study in the Amazon basin we elaborate on the potential of different systems for the quantification of variations of water mass and water surface extent caused by extreme flood and drought situations during 2002–2010. In particular we focus on a rapid change between a widespread flood and a drought situation in the year 2009. Observations of water mass from satellite gravimetry (GRACE), water stage from satellite altimetry (Envisat) and water extent from L-band radar remote sensing (PALSAR) are very consistent with respect to their spatial and temporal variability. On the basis of our findings we provide an outlook on the applicability of measurements of water levels and surface water extent for an independent assessment of water volume changes. Those might be used for a cross-comparison with estimates of water storage from GRACE.
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Seitz, F., Hedman, K., Meyer, F.J., Lee, H. (2014). Multi-sensor Space Observation of Heavy Flood and Drought Conditions in the Amazon Region. In: Rizos, C., Willis, P. (eds) Earth on the Edge: Science for a Sustainable Planet. International Association of Geodesy Symposia, vol 139. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-37222-3_41
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