Persistent Scatterer Interferometry subsidence data exploitation using spatial tools: The Vega Media of the Segura River Basin case study

SummaryThe aim of this paper is to analyze the subsidence affecting the Vega Media of the Segura River Basin, using a Persistent Scatterers Interferometry technique (PSI) named Stable Point Network (SPN). This technique is capable of estimating mean deformation velocity maps of the ground surface and displacement time series from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images. A dataset acquired between January 2004 and December 2008 from ERS-2 and ENVISAT sensors has been processed measuring maximum subsidence and uplift rates of −25.6 and 7.54 mm/year respectively for the whole area. These data have been validated against ground subsidence measurements and compared with subsidence triggering and conditioning factors by means of a Geographical Information System (GIS). The spatial analysis shows a good relationship between subsidence and piezometric level evolution, pumping wells location, river distance, geology, the Arab wall, previously proposed subsidence predictive model and soil thickness. As a consequence, the paper shows the usefulness and the potential of combining Differential SAR Interferometry (DInSAR) and spatial analysis techniques in order to improve the knowledge of this kind of phenomenon.

Research highlights
► Subsidence affecting the Vega Media of the Segura River using a PSI technique is analyzed.
► Subsidence is validated against ground survey data and compared with subsidence causative factors.
► Good relationship between subsidence and considered triggering/conditioning factors is observed.
► Improvement of subsidence knowledge is performed using DInSAR data and spatial analysis techniques.