Aug. 19, 2015

The image shows the comparison result of the data acquired on January 4 and August 16, 2015. The deformation of up to about 16 cm closer toward the satellite was observed at the area on the east side of the Minamidake Summit of Sakurajima (indicated by the white square).
*SAR interferometric analysis
The Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar-2 (PALSAR-2) aboard the DAICHI-2 (ALOS-2) can measure deformation of the land surface (how much the land surface moves) by observing the same place twice and comparing the data. Such an analysis method is called “SAR interferometry (InSAR)”. The observed difference is indicated by colors. When the land surface comes closer to the satellite, the color coordination (coloration) moves from green, red, blue to green, and when it goes away from the satellite, the coloration moves from green, blue red, to green.
JAXA continues observations by the DAICHI-2 to contribute to disaster preparation organizations monitoring Sakurajima.