Variations in the long-term uplift rate due to the Altiplano–Puna magma body observed with Sentinel-1 interferometry

Abstract

We present new Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) observations of surface deformation in the Altiplano–Puna region (South America) where previous studies documented a broad uplift at an average rate of ∼10 mm/yr. We use data from the Sentinel-1 satellite mission to produce high-resolution velocity maps and time series of surface displacements between years 2014–2017. The data reveal that the uplift has slowed down substantially compared to the 1992–2010 epoch and is characterized by short-term fluctuations on time scales of months to years. The observed variations in uplift rate may indicate a non-steady supply of melt and/or volatiles from the partially molten Altiplano–Puna Magma Body (APMB) into an incipient diapir forming in the roof of the APMB.