INSAR

InSAR - Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar

InSAR is a geodetic technique that can identify movements of the Earth's surface. Observations of surface movement made using InSAR can be used to detect, measure, and monitor crustal changes associated with geophysical processes such as tectonic activity and volcanic eruptions. Ground subsidence caused by anthropogenic influences such as groundwater or hydrocarbon extraction can also be identified with InSAR. When combined with ground-based monitoring, InSAR can identify surface movements of millimetre to centimetre scale with high spatial resolution.

InSAR can be used for a wide range of surface deformation studies, for example:

Subsidence and uplift induced by anthropogenic activities such as groundwater or hydrocarbon extraction, or reinjection into reservoirs during carbon capture and storage
coseismic deformation caused during an earthquake
postseismic and interseismic deformation on crustal faults between earthquakes
inflation/deflation of subsurface magma chambers preceding volcanic eruptions
monitoring surface movements in urban environments