The detection limit is about 1.5 millimeters for vertical motions and about 4 millimeters for horizontal motions in the radar beam direction. The SRI velocities and grounding line of the Rutford Ice Stream, Antarctica, agree fairly well with earlier ground-based data. The combined use of SRI and other satellite methods is expected to provide data that will enhance the understanding of ice stream mechanics and help make possible the prediction of ice sheet behavior.
Ice flow is indicated schematically by arrows.
The color fringes show relative movement of the ice surface toward or away from the spacecraft during the 6-day period between two radar observations of the scene. Going from blue through yellow and red to blue again represents a 2.8-cm movement toward the spacecraft. The distance scales in the x and y directions are different, as shown by the marginal ticks. The ice stream is the unpatterned area in the middle, flowing as indicated by arrows. The grounding line is shown dotted.