Performance Analysis of Open Source Time Series InSAR Methods for Deformation Monitoring over a Broader Mining Region

Time Series Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (TSInSAR) methods have been widely and successfully applied for spatiotemporal ground deformation monitoring. The main groups of methodological approaches are often referred to as Persistent Scatterer (PS), Small Baseline (SB), and hybrid approaches that incorporate PS and SB concepts. While TSInSAR techniques have long been able to provide accurate deformation rates for various applications, their corresponding performance in complex environments such as mining areas has to be investigated. This study focuses on comparing the performance of three open source TSInSAR toolboxes (Stamps, Giant, Mintpy) over an extended region that includes an active opencast coal mine. We present the deformation results of each TSInSAR method on a Sentinel-1 dataset of 125 acquisitions spanning around 2.5 years over the Ptolemaida-Florina coal mine site that is characterized by several environmental and surface deformation conditions. First, a cross-comparison analysis is presented over different land cover classes. The study shows that all TSInSAR methods are capable for generating similar ground deformation results when the area has stable ground scattering conditions and the dataset sufficient temporal sampling. The most controversial results between TSInSAR approaches were found in land cover classes that include medium to high vegetation. An external comparative analysis between the different results from TSInSAR methods and leveling measurements is also performed. Stamps approach presented the best agreement with the in-situ deformation rates. The Giant approach yielded the best cumulative deformation results due to our a priori knowledge of temporal behavior of deformation in the vicinity of the leveling locations. Finally, we discuss the main pros and cons of each TSInSAR approach and we highlight the importance of comparison analysis that can provide insights and can lead to better interpretation of the results.

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Surface Deformation Monitoring in Zhengzhou City from 2014 to 2016 Using Time-Series InSAR

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs10111731 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1731 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Zhengjia Zhang ◽

Chao Wang ◽

Mengmeng Wang ◽

Ziwei Wang ◽

Hong Zhang

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Surface Deformation ◽

Ground Deformation ◽

Urban Expansion ◽

Correction Method ◽

Deformation Monitoring ◽

Ground Subsidence ◽

Significant Information ◽

Persistent Scatterers ◽

Deformation Parameters

In recent years, with the development of urban expansion in Zhengzhou city, the underground resources, such as underground water and coal mining, have been exploited greatly, which have resulted in ground subsidence and several environmental issues. In order to study the spatial distribution and temporal changes of ground subsidence of Zhengzhou city, the Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) time series analysis technique combining persistent scatterers (PSs) and distributed scatterers (DSs) was proposed and applied. In particular, the orbit and topographic related atmospheric phase errors have been corrected by a phase ramp correction method. Furthermore, the deformation parameters of PSs and DSs are retrieved based on a layered strategy. The deformation and DEM error of PSs are first estimated using conventional PSI method. Then the deformation parameters of DSs are retrieved using an adaptive searching window based on the initial results of PSs. Experimental results show that ground deformation of the study area could be retrieved by the proposed method and the ground deformation is widespread and unevenly distributed with large differences. The deformation rate ranges from −55 to 10 mm/year, and the standard deviation of the results is about 8 mm/year. The observed InSAR results reveal that most of the subsidence areas are in the north and northeast of Zhengzhou city. Furthermore, it is found that the possible factors resulting in the ground subsidence include sediment consolidation, water exploitation, and urban expansion. The result could provide significant information to serve the land subsidence mitigation in Zhengzhou city.

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Saline-Soil Deformation Extraction Based on an Improved Time-Series InSAR Approach

ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information ◽

10.3390/ijgi10030112 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 112

Author(s):

Wei Xiang ◽

Rui Zhang ◽

Guoxiang Liu ◽

Xiaowen Wang ◽

Wenfei Mao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Surface Deformation ◽

Saline Soil ◽

Ground Deformation ◽

Salt Lake ◽

High Accuracy ◽

Deformation Monitoring ◽

Least Square ◽

Soil Deformation ◽

Qarhan Salt Lake

Significant seasonal fluctuations could occur in the regional scattering characteristics and surface deformation of saline soil, and cause decorrelation, which limits the application of the conventional time-series InSAR (TS-InSAR). For extending the saline-soil deformation monitoring capability, this paper presents an improved TS-InSAR approach, based on the interferometric coherence statistics and high-coherence interferogram refinement. By constructing a network of the refined interferograms, high-accuracy ground deformation can be extracted through the weighted least square estimation and the coherent target refinement. To extract the high-accuracy deformation of a representative saline soil area in the Qarhan Salt Lake, 119 C-band Sentinel-1A images collected between May 2015 and May 2020 are selected as the data source. Subsequently, 845 refined interferograms are selected from all possible interferograms to conduct the network inversion, based on the related thresholds (the temporal baseline <49 days, the average spatial coherences >0.5, respectively). Compared with the conventional TS-InSAR measurements, both the accuracy and reliability of the extracted deformation results of the saline soil increased dramatically. Furthermore, the testing results indicate that the improved TS-InSAR method has advantages on the deformation extraction in the saline soil region, and is adaptive to reflecting the typical seasonal variations of the saline soil.

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Constructing Adaptive Deformation Models for Estimating DEM Error in SBAS-InSAR Based on Hypothesis Testing

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs13102006 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. 2006

Author(s):

Jun Hu ◽

Qiaoqiao Ge ◽

Jihong Liu ◽

Wenyan Yang ◽

Zhigui Du ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Hypothesis Testing ◽

Surface Deformation ◽

A Priori ◽

Least Square ◽

Deformation Model ◽

Phase Time ◽

Testing Theory ◽

Sbas Insar ◽

Deformation Models

The Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technique has been widely used to obtain the ground surface deformation of geohazards (e.g., mining subsidence and landslides). As one of the inherent errors in the interferometric phase, the digital elevation model (DEM) error is usually estimated with the help of an a priori deformation model. However, it is difficult to determine an a priori deformation model that can fit the deformation time series well, leading to possible bias in the estimation of DEM error and the deformation time series. In this paper, we propose a method that can construct an adaptive deformation model, based on a set of predefined functions and the hypothesis testing theory in the framework of the small baseline subset InSAR (SBAS-InSAR) method. Since it is difficult to fit the deformation time series over a long time span by using only one function, the phase time series is first divided into several groups with overlapping regions. In each group, the hypothesis testing theory is employed to adaptively select the optimal deformation model from the predefined functions. The parameters of adaptive deformation models and the DEM error can be modeled with the phase time series and solved by a least square method. Simulations and real data experiments in the Pingchuan mining area, Gaunsu Province, China, demonstrate that, compared to the state-of-the-art deformation modeling strategy (e.g., the linear deformation model and the function group deformation model), the proposed method can significantly improve the accuracy of DEM error estimation and can benefit the estimation of deformation time series.

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Subsidence Monitoring of Fill Area in Yan’an New District Based on Sentinel-1A Time Series Imagery

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs13153044 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (15) ◽

pp. 3044

Author(s):

Mingjie Liao ◽

Rui Zhang ◽

Jichao Lv ◽

Bin Yu ◽

Jiatai Pang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Large Scale ◽

Ground Deformation ◽

Dynamic Change ◽

Deformation Monitoring ◽

Chinese Loess Plateau ◽

Ground Subsidence ◽

Shanxi Province ◽

Environment Change ◽

Loess Area

In recent years, many cities in the Chinese loess plateau (especially in Shanxi province) have encountered ground subsidence problems due to the construction of underground projects and the exploitation of underground resources. With the completion of the world’s largest geotechnical project, called “mountain excavation and city construction,” in a collapsible loess area, the Yan’an city also appeared to have uneven ground subsidence. To obtain the spatial distribution characteristics and the time-series evolution trend of the subsidence, we selected Yan’an New District (YAND) as the specific study area and presented an improved time-series InSAR (TS-InSAR) method for experimental research. Based on 89 Sentinel-1A images collected between December 2017 to December 2020, we conducted comprehensive research and analysis on the spatial and temporal evolution of surface subsidence in YAND. The monitoring results showed that the YAND is relatively stable in general, with deformation rates mainly in the range of −10 to 10 mm/yr. However, three significant subsidence funnels existed in the fill area, with a maximum subsidence rate of 100 mm/yr. From 2017 to 2020, the subsidence funnels enlarged, and their subsidence rates accelerated. Further analysis proved that the main factors induced the severe ground subsidence in the study area, including the compressibility and collapsibility of loess, rapid urban construction, geological environment change, traffic circulation load, and dynamic change of groundwater. The experimental results indicated that the improved TS-InSAR method is adaptive to monitoring uneven subsidence of deep loess area. Moreover, related data and information would provide reference to the large-scale ground deformation monitoring and in similar loess areas.

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Three-dimensional deformation time series of glacier motion from multiple-aperture DInSAR observation

Journal of Geodesy ◽

10.1007/s00190-019-01325-y ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 93 (12) ◽

pp. 2651-2660 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sergey Samsonov

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Surface Deformation ◽

Ground Deformation ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Data Sets ◽

Ice Flow ◽

The North ◽

Glacier Ice ◽

Deformation Component ◽

3D Deformation

AbstractThe previously presented Multidimensional Small Baseline Subset (MSBAS-2D) technique computes two-dimensional (2D), east and vertical, ground deformation time series from two or more ascending and descending Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) data sets by assuming that the contribution of the north deformation component is negligible. DInSAR data sets can be acquired with different temporal and spatial resolutions, viewing geometries and wavelengths. The MSBAS-2D technique has previously been used for mapping deformation due to mining, urban development, carbon sequestration, permafrost aggradation and pingo growth, and volcanic activities. In the case of glacier ice flow, the north deformation component is often too large to be negligible. Historically, the surface-parallel flow (SPF) constraint was used to compute the static three-dimensional (3D) velocity field at various glaciers. A novel MSBAS-3D technique has been developed for computing 3D deformation time series where the SPF constraint is utilized. This technique is used for mapping 3D deformation at the Barnes Ice Cap, Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada, during January–March 2015, and the MSBAS-2D and MSBAS-3D solutions are compared. The MSBAS-3D technique can be used for studying glacier ice flow at other glaciers and other surface deformation processes with large north deformation component, such as landslides. The software implementation of MSBAS-3D technique can be downloaded from http://insar.ca/.

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Copernicus Sentinel-1 MT-InSAR, GNSS and Seismic Monitoring of Deformation Patterns and Trends at the Methana Volcano, Greece

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app10186445 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (18) ◽

pp. 6445 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Theodoros Gatsios ◽

Francesca Cigna ◽

Deodato Tapete ◽

Vassilis Sakkas ◽

Kyriaki Pavlou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Land Surface ◽

Surface Deformation ◽

Ground Deformation ◽

Local Population ◽

Seasonal Fluctuation ◽

Satellite System ◽

Deformation Monitoring ◽

Persistent Scatterers ◽

Geothermal Activity ◽

Global Navigation Satellite

The Methana volcano in Greece belongs to the western part of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, where the African and Eurasian tectonic plates converge at a rate of approximately 3 cm/year. While volcanic hazard in Methana is considered low, the neotectonic basin constituting the Saronic Gulf area is seismically active and there is evidence of local geothermal activity. Monitoring is therefore crucial to characterize any activity at the volcano that could impact the local population. This study aims to detect surface deformation in the whole Methana peninsula based on a long stack of 99 Sentinel-1 C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images in interferometric wide swath mode acquired in March 2015–August 2019. A Multi-Temporal Interferometric SAR (MT-InSAR) processing approach is exploited using the Interferometric Point Target Analysis (IPTA) method, involving the extraction of a network of targets including both Persistent Scatterers (PS) and Distributed Scatterers (DS) to augment the monitoring capability across the varied land cover of the peninsula. Satellite geodetic data from 2006–2019 Global Positioning System (GPS) benchmark surveying are used to calibrate and validate the MT-InSAR results. Deformation monitoring records from permanent Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) stations, two of which were installed within the peninsula in 2004 (METH) and 2019 (MTNA), are also exploited for interpretation of the regional deformation scenario. Geological, topographic, and 2006–2019 seismological data enable better understanding of the ground deformation observed. Line-of-sight displacement velocities of the over 4700 PS and 6200 DS within the peninsula are from −18.1 to +7.5 mm/year. The MT-InSAR data suggest a complex displacement pattern across the volcano edifice, including local-scale land surface processes. In Methana town, ground stability is found on volcanoclasts and limestone for the majority of the urban area footprint while some deformation is observed in the suburban zones. At the Mavri Petra andesitic dome, time series of the exceptionally dense PS/DS network across blocks of agglomerate and cinder reveal seasonal fluctuation (5 mm amplitude) overlapping the long-term stable trend. Given the steepness of the slopes along the eastern flank of the volcano, displacement patterns may indicate mass movements. The GNSS, seismological and MT-InSAR analyses lead to a first account of deformation processes and their temporal evolution over the last years for Methana, thus providing initial information to feed into the volcano baseline hazard assessment and monitoring system.

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LiCSBAS: An Open-Source InSAR Time Series Analysis Package Integrated with the LiCSAR Automated Sentinel-1 InSAR Processor

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs12030424 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 424 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Yu Morishita ◽

Milan Lazecky ◽

Tim Wright ◽

Jonathan Weiss ◽

John Elliott ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Time Series Analysis ◽

Open Source ◽

Large Scale ◽

Surface Deformation ◽

Atmospheric Correction ◽

Sar Interferometry ◽

Processing Scheme ◽

Series Analysis ◽

Analysis Package

For the past five years, the 2-satellite Sentinel-1 constellation has provided abundant and useful Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data, which have the potential to reveal global ground surface deformation at high spatial and temporal resolutions. However, for most users, fully exploiting the large amount of associated data is challenging, especially over wide areas. To help address this challenge, we have developed LiCSBAS, an open-source SAR interferometry (InSAR) time series analysis package that integrates with the automated Sentinel-1 InSAR processor (LiCSAR). LiCSBAS utilizes freely available LiCSAR products, and users can save processing time and disk space while obtaining the results of InSAR time series analysis. In the LiCSBAS processing scheme, interferograms with many unwrapping errors are automatically identified by loop closure and removed. Reliable time series and velocities are derived with the aid of masking using several noise indices. The easy implementation of atmospheric corrections to reduce noise is achieved with the Generic Atmospheric Correction Online Service for InSAR (GACOS). Using case studies in southern Tohoku and the Echigo Plain, Japan, we demonstrate that LiCSBAS applied to LiCSAR products can detect both large-scale (>100 km) and localized (~km) relative displacements with an accuracy of <1 cm/epoch and ~2 mm/yr. We detect displacements with different temporal characteristics, including linear, periodic, and episodic, in Niigata, Ojiya, and Sanjo City, respectively. LiCSBAS and LiCSAR products facilitate greater exploitation of globally available and abundant SAR datasets and enhance their applications for scientific research and societal benefit.

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Surface Deformation Monitoring in Coal Mine Area Based on PSI

IEEE Access ◽

10.1109/access.2019.2900258 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 29672-29678 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Changjun Huang ◽

Hongmei Xia ◽

Jiyuan Hu

Keyword(s):

Coal Mine ◽

Surface Deformation ◽

Deformation Monitoring ◽

Mine Area

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An Improved Time-Series Model Considering Rheological Parameters for Surface Deformation Monitoring of Soft Clay Subgrade

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s19143073 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (14) ◽

pp. 3073 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Xing ◽

Chen ◽

Yuan ◽

Shi

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Surface Deformation ◽

Soft Clay ◽

Deformation Monitoring ◽

Rheological Parameters ◽

Deformation Model ◽

Rheological Parameter ◽

Functional Relationships ◽

Soft Clay Subgrade ◽

Deformation Models

Building deformation models consistent with reality is a crucial step for time-series deformation monitoring. Most deformation models are empirical mathematical models, lacking consideration of the physical mechanisms of observed objects. In this study, we propose an improved time-series deformation model considering rheological parameters (viscosity and elasticity) based on the Kelvin model. The functional relationships between the rheological parameters and deformation along the Synthetic Aperture Radar ( SAR) line of sight are constructed, and a method for rheological parameter estimation is provided. To assess the feasibility and accuracy of the presented model, both simulated and real deformation data over a stretch of the Lungui highway (built on soft clay subgrade in Guangdong province, China) are investigated with TerraSAR-X satellite imagery. With the proposed deformation model, the unknown rheological parameters over all the high coherence points are obtained and the deformation time-series are generated. The high-pass (HP) deformation component and external leveling ground measurements are utilized to assess the modeling accuracy. The results show that the root mean square of the residual deformation is ±1.6 mm, whereas that of the ground leveling measurements is ±5.0 mm, indicating an improvement in the proposed model by 53%, and 34% compared to the pure linear velocity model. The results indicate the reliability of the presented model for the application of deformation monitoring of soft clay highways. The estimated rheological parameters can be provided as a reference index for the interpretation of long-term highway deformation and the stability control of subgrade construction engineering.

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Surface Deformation Monitoring of a Section of Gongyu Expressway Based on SBAS-InSAR Technology

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202123301149 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 233 ◽

pp. 01149

Author(s):

Ying Yang ◽

Yifang Sun ◽

Shihong Wu ◽

Xuegang Dong ◽

Hanyao Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Surface Deformation ◽

Deformation Monitoring ◽

Tibet Plateau ◽

Seasonal Effect ◽

Climate Conditions ◽

Sar Data ◽

Sbas Insar

It is difficult to monitor the surface deformation along the expressway for the critical climate conditions in Tibet plateau. In this paper, based on sentinel-1A SAR data, the surface deformation along the Gongyu expressway was tried to evaluate using time-series SBAS-InSAR method. The results indicate that the surface deformation in most regions is within the safe acquirement of the expressway. Moreover, the surface deformation indicates a strong seasonal effect. Finally, two special spots with dangerous surface deformation are identified along the expressway.

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