Operational use of SAR interferometry for surface and infrastructures movement monitoring

Abstract

This paper presents three applications of SAR interferometry. In the first study, DInSAR technique applied to TerraSAR-X images acquired in Nunavik, northern Canada, showed that surface subsidence observed in the permafrost thaw period is more important in loose soil areas while no surface movement were detected in rock outcrop areas. In the second one, electricity transmission tower movement was simulated through controlled vertical displacements of corner reflectors. These displacements were clearly observed in six TerraSAR-X interferometric pairs, while no movement was detected in the surrounding stable surfaces. The third application relates to monitoring of a dam movement, before and after water impoundment, using SAR interferometry.