Abstract
Abstract. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) has become a valuable tool for surface deformation monitoring, including land subsidence associated with groundwater extraction. Another useful tools for studying Earth's surface processes are geophysical methods such as Gravimetry. In this work we present the application of InSAR analysis and gravimetric surveying to generate valuable information for risk management related to land subsidence and surface faulting. Subsidence of the city of Aguascalientes, Mexico is presented as study case. Aguascalientes local governments have addressed land subsidence issues by including new requirements for new constructions projects in the State Urban Construction Code. Nevertheless, the resulting zoning proposed in the code is still subjective and not clearly defined. Our work based on gravimetric and InSAR surveys is aimed for improving the subsidence hazard zoning proposed in the State Urban Code in a more comprehensive way. The study includes a 2007–2011 ALOS InSAR time-series analysis of the Aguascalientes valley, an interpretation of the compete Bouguer gravimetric anomaly of the Aguascalientes urban area, and the application of time series and gravimetric anomaly maps for improve the subsidence hazard zoning of Aguascalientes City.
Highlights
The city of Aguascalientes (725 000 inhabitants), as well as other medium-sized cities, is located within the Aguascalientes Valley, 430 km NW of Mexico City (Fig. 1)
The growing population and increased agricultural and industrial activities along the valley have resulted in an intensive groundwater extraction, leading to develop land subsidence since earlies 1970’s (PachecoMartínez et al, 2013)
Because all damaged properties were aligned along a linear feature, several studies concluded that the damage was caused by an active geological fault (Aranda-Gómez, 1989; Lermo et al, 1996)
Summary
The city of Aguascalientes (725 000 inhabitants), as well as other medium-sized cities (with a total of 275 000 inhabitants), is located within the Aguascalientes Valley, 430 km NW of Mexico City (Fig. 1). From the discovery of this fault in the late 1970’s until present, new surface faults have developed along the entire valley affecting the urban areas of Cosio, San Francisco del Rincón, San Francisco de los Romos, Jesús María and Aguascalientes City, as well as other smaller towns and rural communities (Fig. 1). We present geophysical data and geodetic observations, which provide information to improve the risk zoning defined in the current construction code of Aguascalientes. These observations include ALOS InSAR timeseries the Aguascalientes valley, and gravimetric measurements in the city of Aguascalientes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
