Demonstrating the enhanced research capacity of the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence for detecting ground displacements in Cyprus using advanced SAR satellite image processing techniques

Abstract

In the last few years, the consequences of the active landslides that occurred in Cyprus have determined the necessity to provide a systematic displacement monitoring system of different areas using satellite-based techniques. Earth Observation and more specifically satellite remote sensing techniques using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery is the way forward exploiting the freely available Copernicus datasets that offer frequent revisit times and large spatial coverage. Moreover, Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) is among the most effective methods to monitor ground displacements, such as landslides, and assess their impact in residential areas. The purpose of this study is to showcase the use of advanced satellite image processing techniques, exploiting SAR satellite images to effectively identify ground displacements in different regions in Cyprus. The enhanced scientific and expertise skills of the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence (ECoE) personnel on the application of PSI were acquired through a capacity building activity carried out by the National Observatory of Athens within the framework of EXCELSIOR project. The multi-temporal InSAR analysis in Cyprus revealed several deforming sites, which were also confirmed by the national authority responsible, i.e., the Geological Survey Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. ThCe villages of Pedoulas in Nicosia District and Pyrgos-Parekklisia in Limassol District are indicative deforming areas in Cyprus and were selected as test sites for further investigation. The ongoing implementation of additional InSAR techniques, fusion of remote sensing data and site visits for further validation, build a complete ground deformation monitoring system, aiming to migrate to a national scale project and serve as a valuable tool for natural hazards monitoring and risk reduction in Cyprus.    Acknowledgements  The authors acknowledge the 'EXCELSIOR': ERATOSTHENES: Excellence Research Centre for Earth Surveillance and Space-Based Monitoring of the Environment H2020 Widespread Teaming project (www.excelsior2020.eu). The 'EXCELSIOR' project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 857510, from the Government of the Republic of Cyprus through the Directorate General for the European Programmes, Coordination and Development and the Cyprus University of Technology.