Satellite-Assisted Determination of Ground Movements

Ground movements represent a potential problem for people and for the environment. Besides active mining, oil and gas production, and changes in the water table, ground movements can be caused by natural factors such as underground cavities. Detecting ground movements that could give rise to hazards is an important aid to preventing potential damage.

In addition to the terrestrial methods for determining ground movements, remote techniques involving radar interferometry have gained considerably in importance over recent years. Basically satellite-based and aircraft-based radar data can be used for interpretation. One advantage is coverage over a broad area. Additionally, archive data can be used to detect ground movements. This enables retroactive conclusions about areas for which no information about movement had previously existed.

Radar interferometry has been used at DMT for the past four years in research and service projects. Our range of services includes not only determining ground movements for the mining and petroleum industries, but also international programmes providing training in this new technique. Cooperating with several project partners, we are pursuing continuous refinement of the technique and adapting it to operators’ needs.