Radar interferometry techniques for the study of ground subsidence phenomena: A review of practical issues through cases in Spain

R. Tomás*, R. Romero, J. Mulas, J. J. Marturià, J. J. Mallorquí, J. M. Lopez-Sanchez, G. Herrera, F. Gutiérrez, P. J. González, S. Duque, A. Concha-Dimas, G. Cocksley, C. Castañeda, D. Carrasco, P. Blanco

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

161 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Subsidence related to multiple natural and human-induced processes affects an increasing number of areas worldwide. Although this phenomenon may involve surface deformation with 3D displacement components, negative vertical movement, either progressive or episodic, tends to dominate. Over the last decades, differential SAR interferometry (DInSAR) has become a very useful remote sensing tool for accurately measuring the spatial and temporal evolution of surface displacements over broad areas. This work discusses the main advantages and limitations of addressing active subsidence phenomena by means of DInSAR techniques from an end-user point of view. Special attention is paid to the spatial and temporal resolution, the precision of the measurements, and the usefulness of the data. The presented analysis is focused on DInSAR results exploitation of various ground subsidence phenomena (groundwater withdrawal, soil compaction, mining subsidence, evaporite dissolution subsidence, and volcanic deformation) with different displacement patterns in a selection of subsidence areas in Spain. Finally, a cost comparative study is performed for the different techniques applied.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)163-181
Number of pages19
JournalEnvironmental Earth Sciences
Volume71
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2014

Keywords

  • DInSAR
  • Remote sensing
  • Settlement
  • Spain
  • Subsidence
  • Technique-cost

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