Time-series InSAR reveals new insights into land subsidence in the Yellow River Delta, China

Abstract

In the past decade, the synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR) technique has been extensively employed in deltas, making it possible to obtain more subsidence signals. However, the spatiotemporal nonlinearity of land subsidence often results in inaccurate estimations. Based on 72 Sentinel-1A images captured from 2016 to 2021 and the time-series persistent scatterer-interferometric SAR (PS-InSAR) method, we comprehensively analyze the temporal and spatial dynamics of recent land subsidence in the Yellow River Delta (YRD). The findings suggest a notable spatial shift in the subsidence funnel area within this delta region over the past 6 years (2016–2021), with gradual westward movement from the salt fields in the northeast to those in the central north. Additionally, with 2020 as the demarcation point, there was a notable change in magnitude, initially exhibiting acceleration at −333 mm/yr, followed by deceleration at −231 mm/yr and culminating in renewed acceleration at −413 mm/yr. The subsidence characteristics may be attributed to changes in the underground brine reserves, leading to consolidation of the confined aquifer. Furthermore, the ground subsidence trend suddenly slowed at the end of 2019, which we speculate is related to the significant reduction in human activities caused by COVID-19 prevention and control measures.