Detection of ground deformation over Sharm El-Sheikh–Ras Nasrani coastal zone, South Sinai (Egypt), by using time series SAR interferometry

The investigation area is located in the most southern part of Sinai Peninsula boarded from the west by the Gulf of Suez and from the east by the Gulf of Aqaba. The present study concerns the application of stacking and persistent scattering of SAR interferometry in order to monitor ground deformation in the southern part of Sharm El-Shiekh area. The specific techniques were applied in order to reduce the influence of atmospheric effects on the ground deformation estimates. For this purpose a total number of 26 ENVISAT ASAR scenes covering the period between 2003 and 2009 were processed and analyzed. Interferometric processing results show both patterns of uplift and downlift in the study area. Specifically an area along the coastline with a N–S direction, corresponding to the build up zone of Sharm El-Sheikh, shows annual average subsidence rates between 5 and 7 mm/yr along the line of sight (LOS). On the contrary, Sharm El-Maya, an inner zone, parallel to the above subsided area; shows maximum slant range uplift of 5 mm/yr. The obtained results of both stacking and persistent scattering indicate that the ground deformation in Sharm El-Sheikh–Ras Nasrani coastal zone is attributed to several effecting factors compromising water pumping, lithology, seismicity, and possible active fracture. The contribution of all these factors is discussed in the context.

Research highlights
► Ground deformation in South Sinai was studied using interferometric stacking and PSInSAR methods.
► Both techniques show comparable results with uplift and subsidence patterns in the area.
► An attempt was made to correlate the detected deformation with natural and/or human induced causes.
► The observed ground deformation was attributed primarily to water pumping.