On the fractal nature of volcano morphology detected via SAR image analysis: the case of Somma—Vesuvius Volcanic Complex

Abstract

In this paper an innovative technique for the extraction of natural surfaces geomorphologic parameters from SAR data is presented and applied for volcano monitoring purposes. The observed surface is modeled as a fractal two-dimensional stochastic process. A theoretical framework for the analysis of the SAR imaging process is outlined. An algorithm founded on this imaging model is presented, allowing the retrieving of the point by point fractal dimension of the imaged surface. Significant results regarding the application of the proposed technique to the case study of the Somma-Vesuvius volcanic complex are shown, along with preliminary comments regarding the comparison with ground truth maps of the surface fractal dimension.

Keywords:

• Fractals
• Synthetic Aperture Radar