Twenty years of coal mining-induced subsidence in the Upper Silesia in Poland identified using InSAR

Abstract The paper presents the results of terrain subsidence monitoring in Poland’s Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) mining area using Differential Interferometry Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) and Persistent Scatterer (PSI). study accounts for almost three million inhabitants where which started 19th century, has produced severe damage to buildings urban infrastructures past years. analysis aimed combine eight different datasets, processed two techniques, coming from various sensors covering periods. As a result, map areas that have been exposed within 3045 square kilometers was obtained. covers period twenty years intensive activities, i.e. 1992–2012. A total 81 interferograms were used study. allowed not only determine troughs (basins) formed 1992 2012 but also observe development over time. work included five sets PSI processing, temporal spatial ranges, zones residual subsidence. Based on InSAR an 521 under influence activities determined. Within subsiding zones, 312.5 rapid increase identified interferograms. combined datasets provided large-area long-term information impact Silesia Basin.