Recent ground deformation of Taiyuan basin (China) investigated with C-, L-, and X-bands SAR images

- C-band, X-band and L-bands SAR images are combined to investigate the surface deformation over Taiyuan faulted basin, China.
- Identified subsidence present as subsiding bowls or elongated subsiding belts.
- Significant differences in displacement are observed near faults.
- Nonlinear periodic variations in deformation are found due to the seasonal groundwater level fluctuations.
- There is an intimate connection among groundwater withdrawal, faults and subsidence.

C-, L- and X-bands Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images acquired from November 2006 to June 2011 were processed with Small BAseline Subset DInSAR (SBAS-DInSAR) technique to investigate spatial and temporal variations in deformation over Taiyuan basin, China. The annual deformation rate, created by integrating C-, L- and X-bands interferograms, revealed severe subsidence regions in the basin, where the average subsidence exceeded 10 cm/y and the maximum subsidence reached to 24 cm/y. Meanwhile, it was found that shapes of these subsidence areas were characterized as either subsiding bowls or elongated subsiding belts, implying an intimate connection among groundwater exploration, ground subsidence and faults. Additionally, significant differences in displacement were identified near the faults. This phenomenon could be explained that faults acted as barriers to groundwater flow, impeding the horizontal propagation of fluid-pressure changes and therefore creating groundwater level difference across them. Furthermore, the time series of deformation maps presented inconspicuous nonlinear periodic variations, which might be caused by the seasonal groundwater level fluctuations. In view of the poor water resource and presented features of subsidence over the study area, we deduced that excessive pumping of groundwater was the dominant process driving land subsidence. Our results could provide scientific evidence on a sound management of ground water pumping to mitigate potential damages on infrastructures and environments.