Crevasse Detection for Safety Issues During theAntarctic Winter using High‐ResolutionSynthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Imagery

The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging technique enables the mapping of the Earth’s surface independent of weather and light conditions, which makes it a suitable instrument during Antarctic winters. Since the early 1990s, imaging radar techniques have been established in polar sciences. The imagery can be used to support Antarctic wintering staff; e.g. to detect crevasses or other surface features. To do so, the radar backscattering behaviour of homogeneous (undisturbed) and heterogeneous (crevassed) areas is used to map crevasse fields or ice edges. A semi‐automatic technique of surface feature detection can help to process the data more rapidly. Nevertheless, an experienced observer is crucial in emergency cases.