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

Abstract

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.