Research article
04 Nov 2014
Research article | 04 Nov 2014
Variational assimilation of remotely sensed flood extents using a 2-D flood model
X. Lai1, Q. Liang2, H. Yesou3, and S. Daillet4
X. Lai et al.
X. Lai1, Q. Liang2, H. Yesou3, and S. Daillet4
- 1State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography & Limnology, CAS, Nanjing 210008 P.R. China
- 2School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
- 3SERTIT, Université de Strasbourg, Bd Sébastien Brant, BP 10413 67412 Illkirch, France
- 4LEGOS/CNES, 18 avenue Edouard Belin, 31401 Toulouse, CEDEX 9, France
- 1State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography & Limnology, CAS, Nanjing 210008 P.R. China
- 2School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
- 3SERTIT, Université de Strasbourg, Bd Sébastien Brant, BP 10413 67412 Illkirch, France
- 4LEGOS/CNES, 18 avenue Edouard Belin, 31401 Toulouse, CEDEX 9, France
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Received: 05 Jun 2014 – Discussion started: 26 Jun 2014 – Revised: 05 Sep 2014 – Accepted: 19 Sep 2014 – Published: 04 Nov 2014
A variational data assimilation (4D-Var) method is proposed to directly assimilate flood extents into a 2-D dynamic flood model to explore a novel way of utilizing the rich source of remotely sensed data available from satellite imagery for better analyzing or predicting flood routing processes. For this purpose, a new cost function is specially defined to effectively fuse the hydraulic information that is implicitly indicated in flood extents. The potential of using remotely sensed flood extents for improving the analysis of flood routing processes is demonstrated by applying the present new data assimilation approach to both idealized and realistic numerical experiments.
