Space geodesy for land subsidence hazards

The challenge

Land subsidence is a major worldwide hazard that can result from natural processes such as landslides, earthquakes, and volcanoes, or from anthropogenic processes including extraction of groundwater, oil and coal. 
 

How it is solved / purpose of research

Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) uses phase changes between two complex (magnitude and phase) radar images over a given area taken at different times to make an interferogram that measures the component of the surface displacement in the radar line of sight with millimeter precision over a wide area (e.g. 100km x 100km). We are developing advanced InSAR techniques (e.g. atmospheric correction models and time series algorithms) to improve the accuracy and reliability of InSAR for deformation mapping.
 

Why it is important / what difference will it make (Impact)

Space geodesy provides accurate data in support of basic research in the monitoring of land subsidence hazards, and leads to a better understanding of them. In the long term, this research not only benefits to the safety of the general public but also to sustainable economic development.

Lead researcher:    http://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/ges/staff/zhenghongli/