Ers and Envisat Differential Sar Interferometry for Subsidence Monitoring

This paper reports 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 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. The high reliability of the ERS satellites, with the huge data archive starting in 1991, strongly supports this application. The planned ENVISAT ASAR has the potential to maintain good data availability into the future. This will, nevertheless, strongly depend on the sensor operation strategy.