The opposition effect in Saturn’s main rings as seen by Cassini ISS: 4. Correlations of the surge morphology with surface albedos and VIMS spectral properties

•We compare the ring surge morphology to the ring “bulk” albedo, the regolith albedo, and other spectral properties.•We find a strong correlation between the surge morphology, the regolith albedo, and the water ice band depths.•Our results suggest coherent backscattering as the common mechanism affecting the surge morphology and water ice bands.•Our coherent backscattering simulations suggest the crucial role of the regolith porosity when determining the grain size.