Surface displacements of the 12 November 2017 Iran–Iraq earthquake derived using SAR interferometry

Abstract

The 2017 M w 7.3 Iran–Iraq earthquake occurred in the seismically less active northern Zagros Mountains. In this study, DInSAR technique is used to derive the surface displacements of the earthquake using Sentinel-1 and ALOS-2 images. One preseismic, three coseismic and a postseismic interferogram are generated. The coseismic interferograms did not show any signs of a surface rupture and indicate a maximum of 80 cm uplift and 50 cm subsidence. The zenith total delay maps derived from the Generic Atmospheric Correction Online Service for InSAR are used to correct tropospheric delays in the interferograms. After correction, an error of 0–2 cm is observed in the line of sight measurements. The preseismic displacement reveals an indication of ground motion before the earthquake occurrence. The postseismic phase indicates afterslip after the earthquake. Localized displacements corresponding to landslides are observed on the mountainous slopes. The 3D displacements reveal ∼40 cm of surface motion suggesting westward movement and reverse faulting.