Publications

Zhang, R; Sun, DL; Li, SM; Yu, YY (2013). A stepwise cloud shadow detection approach combining geometry determination and SVM classification for MODIS data. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REMOTE SENSING, 34(1), 211-226.

Abstract
The identification of cloud shadow pixels is important for land and cloud-atmosphere remote-sensing applications. In this study, a stepwise cloud shadow detection approach for Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 1 km reflectance data, which combines a geometry-based method, a threshold-based automated training data extraction, and a support vector machine (SVM) classification-based spectral detection process, is presented. An extended potential cloud shadow mask is generated according to the satellite and solar geometry and the positions of clouds. An automated training sample data-extraction process, which is based on the reflectance characteristics of cloud shadows, is performed to acquire training samples. Accurate cloud shadow pixels are then confirmed by the SVM classification algorithm. The advantage of this approach is that only reflectance data, geolocation data, and a cloud mask are required; no further cloud or atmospheric information, such as cloud-top height, cloud type, or aerosol information are needed in the workflow. The reduced input requirements benefit rapid-response remote-sensing applications such as flood detection and monitoring. Experimental results were compared with the spectral-based cloud shadow detection scheme, which was employed in the MOD35 product. The comparisons indicate that the new approach detects cloud shadows better than the results generated by using spectral threshold tests only.

DOI:

ISSN:
0143-1161