Seasonal Behavior of the Surface Features in Ross Island, Antarctica, by Means Aster’ Land Surface Temperature Data

Resumen

ASTER images from Antarctica taken between 2000 and 2003 in the thermal infrared imaging sensor showed interesting relationship between the land surface temperatures and the surface features. The studied area is the Ross Island, the Ross Ice Shelf at the south and the Antarctic Ocean at the north. The Ross Ice Shelf and icebergs showed to have the lowest surface temperatures, while the sea ice has higher surface temperatures. The open sea has the highest temperatures. The temperature differences are well defined and sharpen, but they are less different on the early and mid summer and higher on spring and late summer. On land, there is a more irregular temperature pattern. This is due to the relief effects as well the presence of volcanic activity on Mount Erebus, with warm areas possibly heated by the volcanic activity. The surface temperature differences allow study the distribution of ice and sea on the region as well the behavior of the volcanic activity on Mt. Erebus.