Temporal analysis of a landslide by means of a ground-based SAR Interferometer

A ground-based synthetic aperture radar (GB-SAR) interferometer is used to retrieve the velocity field of a landslide. High-resolution images are obtained by means of a time domain SAR processor. An in-depth analysis of the sequence of SAR interferograms enables the recognition of a slowly deforming upper scarp in the scene, and a debris flow that feeds the accumulation zone of the landslide, where a fast change in terrain morphology is observed. The estimated deformation map is in agreement with the available measurements obtained by means of Global Positioning System receivers. Results show that GB-SAR interferometry is a cost-effective solution for the monitoring of landslides. The proposed method is shown to be a valid complement to space- and airborne SAR and to the traditional geodetic instruments.

[1]  C. J. van Westen,et al.  Remote sensing and GIS applied to mountain hazard mapping , 1992 .

[2]  Dario Tarchi,et al.  SAR interferometry for structural changes detection: a demonstration test on a dam , 1999, IEEE 1999 International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium. IGARSS'99 (Cat. No.99CH36293).

[3]  V. Singhroy,et al.  Landslide characterisation in Canada using interferometric SAR and combined SAR and TM images , 1998 .

[4]  D. Sauchyn,et al.  LANDSAT APPLIED TO LANDSLIDE MAPPING , 1978 .

[5]  Didier Massonnet,et al.  Two examples of the use of SAR interferometry on displacement fields of small spatial extent , 1996 .

[6]  Thomas J. Flynn,et al.  TWO-DIMENSIONAL PHASE UNWRAPPING WITH MINIMUM WEIGHTED DISCONTINUITY , 1997 .

[7]  J. Y. Scanvic,et al.  Remote sensing and GIS technology in landslide hazard mapping in the Colombian Andes , 1992 .

[8]  Yasushi Yamaguchi,et al.  Detection of Landslide Areas Using Satellite Radar Interferometry , 2000 .

[9]  W. Carrara,et al.  Spotlight synthetic aperture radar : signal processing algorithms , 1995 .

[10]  Bernd Scheuchl,et al.  Monitoring very slow slope movements by means of SAR interferometry: A case study from a mass waste above a reservoir in the Ötztal Alps, Austria , 1999 .

[11]  Charles Werner,et al.  On the derivation of coseismic displacement fields using differential radar interferometry: The Landers earthquake , 1994 .

[12]  J. Fitch.  Synthetic Aperture Radar , 1987 .

[13]  Christophe Delacourt,et al.  Observation and modelling of the Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée landslide using SAR interferometry , 1996 .

[14]  A. Sieber,et al.  Fast algorithm for a near-field synthetic aperture radar processor , 1994 .

[15]  Dario Tarchi,et al.  A mobile and versatile SAR system , 1999, IEEE 1999 International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium. IGARSS'99 (Cat. No.99CH36293).

[16]  K. Feigl,et al.  Radar interferometry and its application to changes in the Earth's surface , 1998 .

[17]  Carlo Atzeni,et al.  Remote monitoring of buildings using a ground-based SAR: Application to cultural heritage survey , 2000 .

[18]  Fabio Rocca,et al.  Nonlinear subsidence rate estimation using permanent scatterers in differential SAR interferometry , 2000, IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote. Sens..