Characterizing EOS-4 imagery for regional geological observations

The Earth Observation Satellite, EOS-4, launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation, operates in the microwave C-band (5.6 GHz), offering high-quality backscatter images for various thematic applications. In this study, we demonstrate applicability of EOS-4 data in visualizing and identifying geological features, i.e. landforms, structures and rock type variations. Through test cases, we have suggested optimization of parameters like viewing node, geometry, look angle and polarization for geological applications. In analysis of geological structures, SAR look direction and node variation are crucial, whereas for shallow and moist subsurface features, multiple polarizations may be investigated for optimum results. FRS data analysis is essential for mesoscale features like landslides and glaciers, to bring out the subtle granularities. Finally for lithological contrast identification, RGB composites and band ratios derived from the available polarization channels provides the optimum outcomes. Thus, EOS-4 are aptly complementary to any optical datasets for geological feature identification and mapping