DInSAR-based assessment of groundwater-induced land subsidence zonation map

Abstract

Land subsidence is a common phenomenon that occurs worldwide due to natural and human-induced causes. It is a gradual sinking of the ground surface, which can result in significant damage to infrastructure, buildings, and natural resources. The application of remote sensing techniques, such as Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR), has been widely used in monitoring and mapping land subsidence. DInSAR is a radar-based technique that measures the deformation of the ground surface by comparing two or more synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images acquired at different times. This technique can detect subsidence with millimeter-scale accuracy over large areas, making it a valuable tool in monitoring land subsidence. The DInSAR technique has been successfully applied to monitor various types of subsidence, such as natural subsidence caused by geological processes in areas prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and human-induced subsidence caused by groundwater extraction, mining, and oil and gas extraction. In urban areas, the DInSAR technique has been used to monitor subsidence related to the construction of large buildings and infrastructure projects such as highways and bridges. The application of DInSAR in monitoring land subsidence has several advantages over traditional monitoring methods. It is a noninvasive and cost-effective technique that can provide accurate and timely data on subsidence over large areas. This makes it an ideal tool for early warning systems and decision-making processes related to land use and water planning and management. This chapter provides an introduction to DInSAR and explains the methodology, with a focus on its application for monitoring land subsidence. © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.