Vertical ground movements in the Polish and Lithuanian Baltic coastal area as measured by satellite interferometry

Abstract

The article contains results obtained from realization of the Polish and Lithuanian Baltic case study within the EU – FP 7 SubCoast project, which one of the primary aims was analysis of vertical ground movements, potentially causing geohazards in the coastal areas. To reach this goal Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data were obtained. For the Polish and Lithuanian Baltic coast ERS archive radar data were processed in order to provide Permanent Scatterer (PSInSAR, PSI) results that were then used to create the new innovative product – Dynamic DEM (DDEM). The deformation model defined by the SubCoast project normally needs to be created by merging InSAR, satellite navigation (GNSS), optical leveling and/or gravimetry measurements. Elaboration of DDEM enables more effective comparison between PS and tectonic features. Comparison of PS time series with groundwater changes shows a direct correlation, confirming impact of groundwater on subsidence or uplift of the ground surface. The results of the geological interpretation demonstrated that the examples of movements detected by PSI include subsidence linked to deformation of engineering constructions, compaction of organic or weak soils, and eolian accumulation or deflation processes of the sand dunes. For the Polish and Lithuanian coasts most of the area proved to be stable, nevertheless some local deviations up to –15 mm per year of movement were found.