Support of Satellite Radar to Hazard Zone Mapping in the Italian Alps

Living in areas of highly active natural processes as the alpine environment demands the careful assessment of natural hazards and their provision in regional and local development planning processes, providing the chance to substantially reduce damage and loss of property and lives. Consequently techniques for the corresponding tasks of mapping and monitoring natural hazards are subject of ongoing challenging research in this region. Earth observation data and methodology have proven to be able to provide mapping of the spatial distribution of different environmental parameters but are still rarely included in operational administrative and planning processes of hazard management. The presented study focussed on the potential integration of Differential SAR Interferometry techniques into current tasks of landslide hazard management in the Italian Alps including test-cases in the Province of Bolzano-South Tyrol. A close cooperation with the responsible Geologic Service was established for detailed regarding of the specific user requirements. Limitations and obstacles of the potential support from earth observation techniques were considered carefully and the path of integration of products and services into the users processing chain was analysed in detail under operational aspects and demonstrated.