Differential SAR interferometry for land subsidence monitoring: methodology and examples

In recent years significant progress was achieved in SAR interferometry. In this paper we report on the potential of differential SAR interferometry to map land subsidence. After a presentation of the methodology the focus will be on feasibility demonstration and accuracy assessment. The theoretical considerations are verified with the selected cases Ruhrgebiet, Mexico City, Bologna, and Euganean Geothermal Basin, representing fast (m/year) to slow (mm/year) deformation velocities. The accuracy of the generated deformation maps, the huge SAR data archive starting in 1991, the expected continued availability of new data, and the maturity of the required processing techniques, lead to the conclusion that differential SAR interferometry has a very high potential for operational mapping of land subsidence