Monitoring Subsidence
Understand ground movement with satellite radar.
Repeated radar observations can reveal gradual surface movement around infrastructure and urban areas. SBI can help define a suitable assessment, combining geospatial analysis with your asset and ground-survey information.
Wide-area context
View movement patterns around your assets.
Historical perspective
Explore trends in suitable radar archives.
Focused investigation
Prioritize locations for expert review.
GIS-ready evidence
Combine observations with asset information.
How Satellite Subsidence Monitoring Works
Use radar time series to assess movement trends and data quality.
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1
Define area and assets
Review objectives, available data and site conditions.
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2
Build a radar time series
Compare repeat SAR observations using InSAR.
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3
Map motion and quality
Review relative movement, trends and measurement coverage.
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4
Guide further investigation
Combine findings with surveying and geotechnical context.
InSAR measures movement along the satellite line of sight.
Ground Motion Insights You Can Use
Review where movement is observed, how it evolves and where the data are reliable.
- Georeferenced motion maps
- Displacement time series at measurement points
- Coverage and quality indicators
- Asset proximity and review priorities
- GIS-compatible outputs and interpretation summary
Context for Infrastructure Decisions
Urban areas
Assess gradual settlement patterns.
Transport corridors
Review ground motion around routes.
Utilities and industrial sites
Add context to asset investigations.
Combine Space-Based and Ground-Based Evidence
Bring satellite results together with GNSS, levelling, geological information and your GIS. Ground measurements remain important for validation and interpretation.
Discuss Your Subsidence Monitoring Needs
Start with your area, assets, historical records and decision priorities.
Your Questions Answered
What does InSAR measure?
InSAR estimates relative surface movement projected along the radar line of sight. Interpreting vertical or horizontal components requires appropriate assumptions or additional viewing geometries and supporting measurements.
Can every location be measured?
No. Suitable, coherent radar targets are needed. Vegetation, surface changes and viewing geometry can limit coverage, so data suitability must be assessed for each area.
How is subsidence confirmed?
Satellite observations should be interpreted with ground measurements and relevant geological or geotechnical information. These help validate movement and investigate its cause.
Can historical movement be assessed?
Historical analysis may be possible where suitable radar archives and coherent targets exist. The usable period and observation density depend on the area and available data.
What affects coverage and reliability?
Surface characteristics, target coherence, viewing geometry, atmospheric effects and image availability affect measurement quality and interpretation. Coverage and quality indicators should be reviewed alongside movement trends.
Does it replace on-site surveys?
Satellite analysis complements appropriate surveying and asset investigations. Ground verification and professional interpretation remain important, especially when decisions depend on local movement.
Measurement coverage and precision vary with surface conditions, geometry and data availability.
Imagery and analysis shown are illustrative.