Satellite SAR interferometric observations of displacements associated with urban subsidence in Suzhou, Eastern China

SAR interferometry (InSAR) has a high potential for surface displacement mapping in the range from millimeter to meter. In this paper the potential of ERS-1/2 SAR interferometry for mapping subtle land subsidence has been investigated. A time series of ERS-1/2 SAR data from February 1993 to February 2000 is collected from measurements taken in Suzhou city, Jiangsu Province, China, eight ERS-1/2 SAR images are used to create seven interferograms, and three differential interferograms are produced using the three-pass method, which clearly show the spatial extent of land subsidence. The deformation maps are validated by leveling surveys, the correlation coefficient and standard deviation between them are 0. 943 and 0.1706 respectively. Based on seven benchmarks, the subsidence rates are estimated, the overall trends are in close agreement with InSAR results. The results of study show that for the mapping of land subsidence in urban environments InSAR has a strong potential due to its cost-saving, high resolution and accuracy.