SBAS-INSAR-BASED MICROWAVE REMOTE SENSING AND ITS APPLICATION IN GROUND DEFORMATION ANALYSIS
Abstract
Ground deformation is a key indicator of both natural geodynamic processes and human-induced activities, and its accurate monitoring is essential for hazard assessment, infrastructure safety, and sustainable land management. Microwave remote sensing, particularly Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), has emerged as a powerful technique for detecting surface deformation with high precision over large spatial and temporal scales. This study focuses on the application of the Small Baseline Subset (SBAS) InSAR approach for ground deformation analysis using multi-temporal SAR data. The SBAS methodology utilizes interferometric pairs with small spatial and temporal baselines to minimize decorrelation and atmospheric effects, enabling reliable deformation time-series retrieval.
A stack of SAR images acquired over the study area was processed to generate differential interferograms, which were subsequently filtered, unwrapped, and organized into a small-baseline network. Time-series inversion techniques were applied to derive cumulative displacement and mean deformation velocity along the radar line of sight. Atmospheric phase screens were estimated and mitigated to enhance the accuracy of deformation measurements. The resulting deformation maps and time-series profiles reveal spatially variable deformation patterns, including zones of subsidence, uplift, and relative stability. Identified deformation trends show strong correlation with geological conditions and anthropogenic activities such as groundwater extraction and urban development.
Validation with available ground-based observations confirms the reliability and accuracy of the SBAS-InSAR results. The findings demonstrate that SBAS-InSAR–based microwave remote sensing is an effective and robust tool for long-term ground deformation monitoring, offering valuable support for geohazard assessment, environmental monitoring, and informed decision-making.
