Using small baseline Interferometric SAR to map nonlinear ground motion: a case study in Northern Tibet

Abstract

With its global coverage and all-weather imaging capability, Interferometric SAR (InSAR) has been revolutionizing our ability to image the Earth's surface and the evolution of its shape over time. In turn, this has led to many new insights into geophysical and engineering processes, such as volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides and mining activity. In this study, we used an advanced InSAR time series technique to map ground motion of an area in Northern Tibet using ENVISAT images acquired between 2003 and 2007. In order to minimise the effects of baseline decorrelation, a subset of possible pairs having a perpendicular baseline (i.e. orbital separation) of less than 400 m was chosen for the InSAR time series analysis. The time series results reveal an ‘unexpected’ nonlinear ground motion: the area of interest was relatively stable during the period from 2003 to the middle of 2004, whilst it has exhibited a nearly linear uplift of about 8 cm since the middle of 2004. Examination of high-resolution ALOS PRISM images shows that the uplift signal occurred over the Huatugou oil field and is most likely caused by water injection. This study highlights the potential of InSAR as an early detection tool of surface deformations.