What geological process caused by factors like excessive groundwater withdrawal is a key phenomenon targeted for monitoring by NISAR?
Answer
Ground subsidence.
One of the critical environmental hazards NISAR is designed to measure is ground subsidence. This phenomenon involves the sinking or compaction of the land surface, often occurring slowly over long periods. A primary driver identified for this sinking, especially in regions reliant on intensive water usage, is the excessive withdrawal of groundwater. The satellite's advanced radar capabilities allow it to precisely map this sinking, even in areas obscured by vegetation, providing local water managers with quantifiable data. This measurement is crucial for enforcing sustainable pumping limits, which directly affects agricultural viability and the stability of surrounding infrastructure in affected areas.
Related Questions
What distinction characterizes the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission?Where did the final assembly, integration, and testing (AIT) of the entire NISAR satellite structure occur?Which specific Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instrument was provided by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the NISAR mission?What specific advantage does NASA’s L-band SAR, operating at a longer wavelength, offer in monitoring Earth's surface?What benefit arises from integrating L-band and S-band sensors onto a single NISAR spacecraft platform?Which specific rocket is slated to launch the NISAR satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre?What geological process caused by factors like excessive groundwater withdrawal is a key phenomenon targeted for monitoring by NISAR?What radar technique compares radar images taken at different times to detect minute shifts in ground distance?Which critical segment of the NISAR mission does the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) hold responsibility for executing?Beyond geological monitoring, what specific application does the L-band's ability to measure forest structure have for global environmental efforts?