@misc{Davidova:2026:10.5194/epsc2026-858,
author = {Davidova, N and Gallardo, i Peres G and Gao, Y and Awasthi, S and Ghail, R and Moreira, A and Jaeger, M and Benedikter, A and Mason, P},
doi = {10.5194/epsc2026-858},
title = {Multi-scale surface characterisation of recently erupted lava flows on the Reykjanes Peninsula: a 2026 field campaign in support of EnVision mission science development},
type = {Other},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/epsc2026-858},
year = {2026}
}

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TY  - GEN
AB  - <jats:p>In preparation for the Envision mission to Venus, multi-frequency airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data collected in August 2023 over Iceland, by the DLR for NASA JPL and the VERITAS mission team (using the F-SAR system) [2-5], has been analysed across a series of basaltic lava flows of differing ages. Fieldwork in July-August 2026 in the Reykjanes Peninsula has provided some vital ground-truth (surface roughness and very high-resolution topography) for our analysis. Our investigations are aimed at better understanding the scales and scattering characteristics of young basaltic volcanic landscapes, and SAR data-processing algorithms applied to volcanic terrain data.Analysis of the 2023 F-SAR data at Askja enabled characterisation of seven lava flow units from 1961 (Vikrahraun) to >6100 yr BP using the full-polarimetric X-, S-, and L-band SAR with paired pin-profilometer and drone Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data (Figure 1). Across the Askja flow sequence, mean backscatter decreases systematically with flow age, and decomposition techniques partitions the flows sequence by facies. We now extend this framework to the Reykjanes Peninsula. Figure 1. Representative surface units. Left: field photos; centre: drone orthomosaics; right: drone-derived DEMs. (A) Inflated phoehoe with pressure ridges; (B) a'-phoehoe contact; (C) tephra plain with aeolian bedforms. Horizontal scale bars and DEM elevation ranges (m a.s.l.) shown per row.Complementary analysis of field data across the fresher flows at the Reykjanes Peninsula enables bare-versus-mantled backscatter comparison of several flow units because of the occurrence of moss/lichen colonisation in a slightly warmer climate (Figure 2). Five age groups have been sampled: the Sundhnúkur-Svartsengi system, with nine flows emplaced between December 2023 to August 2025 along a c. 10 km fissure north of Grindavík (fieldwork ages 1-2.5 yr [6]); the Fagradalsfjall system comprising
AU  - Davidova,N
AU  - Gallardo,i Peres G
AU  - Gao,Y
AU  - Awasthi,S
AU  - Ghail,R
AU  - Moreira,A
AU  - Jaeger,M
AU  - Benedikter,A
AU  - Mason,P
DO  - 10.5194/epsc2026-858
PY  - 2026///
TI  - Multi-scale surface characterisation of recently erupted lava flows on the Reykjanes Peninsula: a 2026 field campaign in support of EnVision mission science development
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/epsc2026-858
UR  - https://doi.org/10.5194/epsc2026-858
ER  - 

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