Abstract
In this article, we present a possible approach to use satellite radar data for a complete description of the formation process of a subsidence trough resulting from an induced seismic event—a mining tremor. Our main goal was to verify whether SAR data allow for the calculation of the basic indicators for the trough (w—subsidence, T—trough slope, K—curvature, u—horizontal displacements, ε—horizontal deformations). We verified the extent to which the Mogi and Yang models can be fitted to match the actual displacements recorded after an induced seismic tremor. The calculations were performed for the Legnica-Glogow Copper Belt (LGCB) area in southwest Poland. Due to intensive mining operations and specific geological and tectonic conditions, the area shows a high level of induced seismic activity. Our detailed analysis focused on four powerful mining tremors: the first tremor occurred on 29 November 2016 (MW3.4), the second on 7 December 2017 (MW3.3), the next on 26 December 2017 (MW3.6) and the last tremor on 29 January 2019 (MW3.7). For each analyzed event, we determined the displacements based on the Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) method and Sentinel 1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data from two paths (22 and 73). Additionally, for the period from November 2014 to October 2020, we calculated the displacements using the Small Baseline Subset method (SBAS) time series method. In all cases, the tremor was followed by the development of long-lasting surface deformations. The obtained results allowed us to conclude that it is possible to calculate indicators that result from a specific induced mining event. Considering the full moment tensor and nature of the tremor source, we demonstrated that the Mogi and Yang models can be employed to describe the influence of an induced tremor on the surface in an area of mining activity. We also confirmed the global character of the influence of the reduced troposphere on SAR data calculations. Our conclusions indicate that accounting for the tropospheric correction does not distort horizontal and vertical displacement values in regions influenced by mining activity/tremors.
Highlights
We focused on analyzing induced mining tremors that were recorded in 2016, 2017 and 2019 in the area of the Legnica-Glogow Copper Belt (LGCB) in Poland
The inversion results are presented in three forms: a full moment tensor, including volume change; the compensated linear vector dipole (CLVD) component, which is responsible for uniaxial compression or extension; and the shear component, which is described by the double couple forces
We present a possible approach to using satellite radar data for a complete description of the formation process of a subsidence trough resulting from an induced seismic event—a mining tremor
Summary
Based on the SAR satellites that are currently active, we can calculate displacements of the Earth’s crust caused by such phenomena as mining activity (both underground and on the surface) [1,2], landslides [3,4,5], oil and gas extraction [6,7], pumping water from underground reservoirs [8,9] and floods [10,11] These phenomena include induced seismic events, which—if powerful enough—may lead to the development of long-lasting displacements on the ground surface. In contrast to natural seismic events, source of induced tremors have an isotropic (non-double couple) character and a much lower force and affect areas which are several times smaller
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