Monitoring of the ground deformation in Penang Island, Malaysia using Permanent Scatterer Interferometry Synthetic Aperture Radar (PS-InSAR) and Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) techniques

Abstract

Ground deformations (e.g., landslide and subsidence) have substantially risen recently around Penang Island, Malaysia. The development of hillslopes for rapid urbanisation and heavy rainfall has detrimental impacts on Penang Island soil layers. Modelling, simulation, and the development of susceptibility maps were past methods used to predict potential ground deformations of Penang Island. There is no published work on the Interferometry Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technique, where ground deformation of the region has been holistically studied. This work integrates the Persistent Scatterer InSAR (PS-InSAR) technique with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to monitor the deformation on the island and identify possible subsurface causes for the disturbance. Twenty-four descending Sentinel-1A datasets acquired between 14th July 2017 and 13th October 2018 were processed to monitor and map ground deformation areas with a focus on three selected regions-Batu Feringghi (BF), Paya Terubong (PT), and Tanjung Bungah (TB), where multiple landslides occurred between 2017 and 2018. InSAR results were later analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) tool and validated by the available Global Positioning System (GPS) analysis. InSAR analyses reveal the mean deformation values of -3.13 mm/yr, -2.76 mm/yr and -4.77 mm/yr for the BF, PT, and TB areas. GPR surveys were conducted with a 300/800 MHz dual-frequency antenna at the three selected study areas. Anomalies (wall cracks, road fissures, cavities, drains, and pipes) detected using GPR profiles correlated well with the permanent scatterer points calculated using the InSAR technique.

Study on the Movement of Overlying Rock Strata and Surface Movement in Mine Goaf under Different Treatment Methods Based on PS-InSAR Technology

“…Figure 3 depicts the distribution of PS output results along with their corresponding PS points. For the purpose of ensuring the accuracy of monitoring results, numerous scholars [12,27,30,44,45,[53][54][55][56][57] have conducted comparisons between monitoring results and leveling measurement values, GPS, GNSS, D-InSAR, and SBAS-InSAR monitoring values, to validate their precision. If the disparities between these two sets of results are minimal and essentially consistent, it can be inferred that the monitoring is feasible.…”

“…Kim TTH et al [37,38] applied PS-InSAR technology to monitor mining areas came to a conclusion that there was significant damage to the surface along with a linear decreasing trend in surface deformation. Anil J., Xia YP., Przylucka M., et al [20,[39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46], employed a combination of PS-InSAR technology and complementary monitoring techniques, including D-InSAR, Global Positioning System (GPS), and Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) (ground penetrating radar), including optical remote sensing for urban areas, and the mining region's surface subsidence monitoring resulted in significant research findings.…”