Soil Deformations Caused by Earthquakes

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Ground displacements generated by earthquakes

Differential SAR Interferometry (DInSAR) can be used to measure ground displacements generated by earthquakes, by processing interferometric pairs acquired before and after the seismic event.

In the example shown, the displacements giving rise to the interferometric fringes were detected following the L’Aquila earthquake.

Deformation models were derived using Differential SAR Interferometry (DInSAR) in relation to the earthquake, the main event of which occurred on 6 April 2009 in the L’Aquila area (Italy).

The deformation corresponding to each interferometric fringe is 2.8 cm and primarily represents the vertical component of the total ground displacement. The maximum ground subsidence detected through these satellite measurements is approximately 25 cm.

The interferograms were obtained by processing, using the SPINUA© algorithm, two pairs of ENVISAT ASAR images made available by the European Space Agency (ESA):

  • SAR images in a descending orbit, acquired on 1 February 2009 and 12 April 2009.
  • SAR images in ascending orbit, acquired on 11 March 2009 and 15 April 2009.

Interferometric fringes highlighting ground displacement caused by the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake