Two-dimensional deformation monitoring over Qingxu (China) by integrating C-, L-and X-bands SAR images

Multi-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data sets with different imaging parameters enrich the ground deformation monitoring by interferometric synthetic aperture tadar (InSAR) technique. It is desirable to integrate of these images to produce the high-precision three-dimensional (3-D) or two-dimensional (2-D) deformation. In this study, high-precision east-west horizontal and vertical deformation rate over Qingxu region (Shanxi province, China), where serious deformation associated with the excessive pumping of ground water is documented, is produced through integrating of 22 C-band ENVISAT/ASAR, 16 L-band ALOS/PALSAR and 11 X-band TerraSAR images. The results show that the vertical and east-west deformation rate reach to-16.68 and-4.6 cm year-1, respectively, indicating the severe surface deformation in our study area. The comparison between our observed 2-D deformation and global position system (GPS) observations displays that the standard deviations of east-west deformation and vertical deformation are about 4.7 and 3.8 mm year-1, respectively, demonstrating the reliability of our result. This study should help us to better understand the formation and development of the deformation over the research area and provide scientific evidence on a sound management of ground water pumping to mitigate potential damages on infrastructures and environments.