Detection of aquifer system compaction and land subsidence using interferometric synthetic aperture radar, Antelope Valley, Mojave Desert, California

Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) has great potential to detect and quantify land subsidence caused by aquifer system compaction. InSAR maps with high spatial detail and resolution of range displacement (±10 mm in change of land surface elevation) were developed for a groundwater basin (∼103 km2) in Antelope Valley, California, using radar data collected from the ERS‐1 satellite. These data allow comprehensive comparison between recent (1993–1995) subsidence patterns and those detected historically (1926–1992) by more traditional methods. The changed subsidence patterns are generally compatible with recent shifts in land and water use. The InSAR‐detected patterns are generally consistent with predictions based on a coupled model of groundwater flow and aquifer system compaction. The minor inconsistencies may reflect our imperfect knowledge of the distribution and properties of compressible sediments. When used in conjunction with coincident measurements of groundwater levels and other geologic information, InSAR data may be useful for constraining parameter estimates in simulations of aquifer system compaction.

[1]  Paul A. Rosen,et al.  Crustal deformation measurements using repeat‐pass JERS 1 synthetic aperture radar interferometry near the Izu Peninsula, Japan , 1998 .

[2]  Didier Massonnet,et al.  Land subsidence caused by the East Mesa Geothermal Field, California, observed using SAR interferometry , 1997 .

[3]  P. Rosen,et al.  Atmospheric effects in interferometric synthetic aperture radar surface deformation and topographic maps , 1997 .

[4]  Freysteinn Sigmundsson,et al.  Crustal Deformation from 1992 to 1995 at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Southwest Iceland, Mapped by Satellite Radar Interferometry , 1997, Science.

[5]  F. Webb,et al.  Surface deformation and coherence measurements of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, from SIR C radar interferometry , 1996 .

[6]  Paul Rosen,et al.  Postseismic Rebound in Fault Step-Overs Caused by Pore Fluid Flow , 1996, Science.

[7]  R. Hanson.  Postaudit of head and transmissivity estimates and ground-water flow models of Avra Valley, Arizona , 1996 .

[8]  L. Freeman.  Time-series ground-water-level and aquifer-system compaction data, Edwards Air Force Base, Antelope Valley, California, January 1991 through September 1993 , 1996 .

[9]  P. Hsieh,et al.  Comment on “Horizontal aquifer movement in a Theis‐Theim Confined System” by Donald C. Helm , 1995 .

[10]  Richard M. Goldstein,et al.  Atmospheric limitations to repeat‐track radar interferometry , 1995 .

[11]  P. Rosen,et al.  Surface Displacement of the 17 May 1993 Eureka Valley, California, Earthquake Observed by SAR Interferometry , 1995, Science.

[12]  D. Massonnet,et al.  Deflation of Mount Etna monitored by spaceborne radar interferometry , 1995, Nature.

[13]  S. Phillips,et al.  Land use and water use in the Antelope Valley, California , 1995 .

[14]  M. E. Ikehara,et al.  Global positioning system surveying to monitor land subsidence in Sacramento Valley, California, USA , 1994 .

[15]  P. Rosen,et al.  On the derivation of coseismic displacement fields using differential radar interferometry: The Landers earthquake , 1994, Proceedings of IGARSS '94 - 1994 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium.

[16]  D. C. Helm.  Horizontal aquifer movement in a Theis-Thiem confined system , 1994 .

[17]  R. Hanson,et al.  Simulation of ground-water flow and potential land subsidence, upper Santa Cruz Basin, Arizona , 1994 .

[18]  S. Phillips,et al.  Determination of land subsidence related to ground-water-level declines using Global Positioning System and leveling surveys in Antelope Valley, Los Angeles and Kern Counties, California, 1992 , 1994 .

[19]  R. Goldstein,et al.  Satellite Radar Interferometry for Monitoring Ice Sheet Motion: Application to an Antarctic Ice Stream , 1993, Science.

[20]  K. Feigl,et al.  The displacement field of the Landers earthquake mapped by radar interferometry , 1993, Nature.

[21]  Thierry Rabaute,et al.  Radar interferometry: limits and potential , 1993, IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote. Sens..

[22]  Michael C. Carpenter.  Earth-fissure movements associated with fluctuations in ground-water levels near the Picacho mountains, south-central Arizona, 1980-84 , 1993 .

[23]  D. L. Rewis,et al.  Hydrogeology and land subsidence, Edwards Air Force Base, Antelope Valley, California, January 1989-December 1991 , 1993 .

[24]  Earthnet,et al.  ERS-1 system , 1992 .

[25]  J. C. Blodgett,et al.  Land subsidence and problems affecting land use at Edwards Air Force Base and vicinity, California , 1992 .

[26]  Technical Systems,et al.  Mitigating Losses from Land Subsidence in the United States , 1991 .

[27]  S. Leake.  Interbed storage changes and compaction in models of regional groundwater flow , 1990 .

[28]  R. Hanson,et al.  Simulation of ground-water flow and potential land subsidence, Avra Valley, Arizona , 1990 .

[29]  R. Goldstein,et al.  Mapping small elevation changes over large areas: Differential radar interferometry , 1989 .

[30]  J. F. Poland,et al.  Land subsidence in the Santa Clara Valley, California, as of 1982 , 1988 .

[31]  R. Hanson.  AQUIFER-SYSTEM COMPACTION, TUCSON BASIN AND AVRA VALLEY, ARIZONA , 1988 .

[32]  David E. Prudic,et al.  Documentation of a computer program to simulate aquifer-system compaction using the modular finite d , 1988 .

[33]  S. R. Anderson.  Potential for aquifer compaction, land subsidence, and earth fissures in Avra Valley, Pima and Pinal counties, Arizona , 1987 .

[34]  S. R. Anderson.  Potential for aquifer compaction, land subsidence, and earth fissures in the Tucson basin, Pima County, Arizona , 1987 .

[35]  Victoria J. Epstein.  Hydrologic and geologic factors affecting land subsidence near Eloy, Arizona , 1987 .

[36]  T. Holzer.  Ground failure induced by ground-water withdrawal from unconsolidated sediment , 1984 .

[37]  J. F. Poland,et al.  Land subsidence in the San Joaquin Valley, California, as of 1980 , 1975 .

[38]  Thomas L. Holzer,et al.  Preconsolidation stress of aquifer systems in areas of induced land subsidence , 1981 .

[39]  D. C. Helm.  Field Verification of a One-Dimensional Mathematical Model for Transient Compaction and Expansion of a Confined Aquifer System , 1978 .

[40]  Timothy J. Durbin,et al.  Calibration of a mathematical model of the Antelope Valley ground-water basin, California , 1976 .

[41]  Donald C. Helm,et al.  One‐dimensional simulation of aquifer system compaction near Pixley, California: 1. Constant parameters , 1975 .

[42]  J. F. Poland,et al.  Subsidence in the Santa Clara Valley, California--A progress report , 1962 .

[43]  J. Snyder.  Ground water in California: The experience of Antelope Valley , 1955 .

[44]  K. Terzaghi.  Theoretical Soil Mechanics , 1943 .

[45]  J. F. Poland,et al.  Ground-water, salt-water infiltration, and ground-surface recession in Santa Clara Valley, Santa Clara County, California , 1940 .

[46]  D. G. Thompson.  The Mohave Desert region, California, a geographic, geologic, and hydrologic reconnaissance , 1929 .