Multi-Frequency Passive Remote Sensing of ICE Sheets from L-Band to W-Band

Multi-frequency microwave radiometer measurements can reveal important subsurface characteristics of ice sheets such as internal temperature, density, grain size and ice thickness, which are critical to understand ice sheet dynamics. This study explores the sensitivity of electromagnetic radiation from ice sheets to these properties across the microwave spectrum, from L-band to W-band. The results indicate that (i) the maximum depth for which surface radiations provide information decreases from >2000 m in L-band to ~3 m in W-band, (ii) seasonal variations in internal temperatures are reflected mostly at frequencies in K_a-band and above, (iii) impact of the geothermal heat flux can be observed mainly in L- and S-bands, and (iv) changes in density and grain size properties affect the electromagnetic penetration depth, thus, may influence surface emissions across the entire microwave spectrum.