Application of InSAR and Gravimetry for Land Subsidence Hazard Zoning in Aguascalientes, Mexico

Abstract

In this work we present an application of InSAR and gravimetric surveys for risk management related to land subsidence and surface ground faulting generation. A subsidence velocity map derived from the 2007-2011 ALOS SAR imagery and a sediment thicknesses map obtained from the inversion of gravimetric data were integrated with a surface fault map to produce a subsidence hazard zoning in the city of Aguascalientes, Mexico. The resulting zoning is presented together with specific recommendations about geotechnical studies needed for further evaluation of surface faulting in these hazard zones. The derived zoning map consists in four zones including null hazard (stable terrain without subsidence), low hazard (areas prone to subsidence), medium hazard (zones with subsidence) and high hazard (zones with surface faulting). InSAR results displayed subsidence LOS velocities up to 10 cm/year and two subsidence areas unknown before this study. Gravimetric results revealed that the thicker sediment sequence is located toward north of Aguascalientes City reaching up to 600 m in thickness, which correspond to a high subsidence LOS velocity zone (up to 6 cm/year).

A multiscale approach for detection and mapping differential subsidence using multi-platform InSAR products

“…The InSAR velocity map from ALOS data (Fig. 2c) shows a clear subsidence pattern within the graben, in agreement with previous observations (Pacheco-Martínez et al, 2015). However, the graben limits do not exactly coincide with the transition between subsiding and stable areas (see northern portion of the eastern main fault).…”

“…Several locations around the world experience land subsidence due to groundwater extraction (e.g. Gambolati and Teatini, 2015;Semple et al, 2017). Central Mexico alone, has more than twenty urban areas reported as subsiding (Brunori et al, 2015;Cabral-Cano et al, 2008;Chaussard et al, 2017;Pacheco-Martínez et al, 2015).…”

“…Gambolati and Teatini, 2015;Semple et al, 2017). Central Mexico alone, has more than twenty urban areas reported as subsiding (Brunori et al, 2015;Cabral-Cano et al, 2008;Chaussard et al, 2017;Pacheco-Martínez et al, 2015). More importantly, spatial variation of subsidence in several of such locations has led to differential subsidence and, consequently, to ground faulting and infrastructure damage (Avila-Olivera and Garduño-Monroy, 2008;Pacheco-Martínez et al, 2013).…”

Modeling 3D Free-geometry Volumetric Sources Associated to Geological and Anthropogenic Hazards from Space and Terrestrial Geodetic Data

“…Therefore, only the line-of-sight (LOS) displacement field is known in the Alto Guadalentín area at a regional level and it was assumed to correspond completely to vertical displacement. Although this is a common procedure in subsidence studies using DInSAR measurements [112][113][114][115][116][117][118], the main consequences are (i) the neglecting of possible horizontal displacement components and (ii) the likely overestimation of vertical displacement.…”

Earth Observations for Geohazards: Present and Future Challenges

“…Pacheco-Martínez et al [39] present a novel approach to combine InSAR and gravimetric surveys for risk management related to land subsidence and surface ground faulting generation. Boni et al [40] describe a novel methodology for the exploitation of InSAR data to support geological interpretation in areas affected by land subsidence, uplift and seasonal displacements.…”