Ground Subsidence Monitored by L-band Satellite Radar Interferometry

Ground subsidence can be caused by both natural and human-induced activities. In this paper, a radar remote sensing technique named Differential Interferometric SAR (D-InSAR) is introduced as means of monitoring the ground deformation caused by mining activities. D-InSAR and current geodetic technologies, such as GPS, are complementary in monitoring ground subsidence due to underground mining as the former has the greater coverage area and the latter has the better resolution of height change. This paper demonstrates the computational steps of a four-pass D-InSAR technique and the differential results have been further interpreted with the assistance of GIS. The possible noise factors such as temporal and spatial decorrelations and atmospheric effect are also discussed in this paper. Finally, the capability of D-InSAR technique for the application of ground subsidence monitoring is emphasised.