Joint inversion of the differential satellite interferometry and GPS data: A case study of Altai (Chuia) Earthquake of September 27, 2003

Based on the data of differential satellite interferometry, the field of displacements of the Earth’s surface in the line-of-sight direction is determined for the region of the Altai Earthquake that struck on September 27, 2003. The displacements are estimated for unforested areas of Chuia and the Kurai depressions, and for a part of their mountainous surroundings. In that part of the region where unwrapping of the data was possible, the amplitude of displacements amounts up to 150 cm for Chuia and 100 cm for the Kurai depressions. In order to locate the surface of the seismic rupture and to find the field of displacements on this surface, the method for the combined inversion of the displacements data, provided by satellite interferometry (the present work) and geodesy [Gol’din et al., 2005], is suggested and applied. The admissible range of the parameters of the rupture was specified from the seismology and seismotectonics data. The combined use of geodetic and satellite interferometry data makes the solution of the inverse problem more stable and yields a seismic momentum estimate, which is consistent with the seismological determinations. We discuss the possible contributions of various postseismic processes; in particular, based on analyzing the energy of the aftershocks, we assess the contribution of the postseismic creep to the displacements, determined from the interferometry and geodesy data, for different coseismic and postseismic time intervals.     

SAR遥感图像在汶川地震灾害识别中的应用

汶川地震发生后,受阴雨天气的影响,光学遥感影像在救灾决策中的作用受到了很大的限制,而SAR图像由于其全天候的特点成为这次抗震救灾前期遥感信息保障十分重要的数据源.采用ENVISAT的ASAR作为数据源,利用多时相的雷达数据的幅度及相位信息对映秀及周边地区做了地震灾害识别,其中利用震前震后的幅度图像做比值变化检测,在映秀镇及紫坪铺水库等山区取得了较好的效果;利用相位信息做干涉处理得到的相干图像,经过失相干分析,发现建筑物的破坏等级与相干系数变化指数的大小高度相关.比较这两种方法,在都江堰等平原地区由于失相干现象不像山区那么严重,并且利用比值处理可以去除部分空间失相干及系统热噪声等带来的干扰因素,可以成为幅度图像的有益补充.结果表明,结合SAR幅度影像和干涉相干影像,可以在地震灾害评估中取得更好效果.随着极化干涉雷达技术的日益成熟,多时相幅度信息、相位信息等多特征SAR影像信息的融合会在救灾决策中发挥更大的作用.     

Mapping dune dynamics by InSAR coherence

It is generally held that subtle changes in sandy environments are very difficult to detect in imagery. Nonetheless, this study demonstrates how synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometric decorrelation can be used to identify changes in individual sand dunes. The use of coherence maps over time facilitates the analysis of dune dynamics, both temporally and spatially. The Ashdod‐Nizzanim coastal dunes, along the southern coastal plain of Israel, were chosen as an illustrative example of the analysis of dune dynamics. High‐resolution TerraSAR‐X (TSX) radar images covering the entire research area were acquired for the period February to July 2012, together with meteorology data (wind and rain) for the area. The coherence results enabled the stability of individual dunes to be described as a function of time. It was found that the dune crests were more stable than the windward slopes and that the degree of stability was dependent on the distance of the dune from the sea. The results of this study show the potential of using interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) decorrelation for aeolian studies, even in areas characterized by low coherence. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fire severity and surface rock fragments cause patchy distribution of soil water repellency and infiltration rates after burning

Although fire‐induced soil water repellency (SWR) and its effects on soil hydrology and geomorphology have been studied in detail, very few studies have considered the effect of rock fragments resting on the soil surface or partly embedded in soil. In this research, we have studied the effect of rock fragments on the strength and spatial distribution of fire‐induced SWR at different fire severities. A fire‐affected area was selected for this experiment and classified into different zones according to fire severity (unburned, low, moderate and high) and rock fragment cover (low, <20% and high, >60%). During 7 days after fire, SWR and infiltration rates were assessed in the soil surface covered by individual rock fragments and in the midpoint between two adjacent rock fragments (with maximum spacing of 20 cm). SWR increased with fire severity. Rock fragments resting on the soil surface increased the heterogeneity of the spatial distribution of fire‐induced SWR. SWR increased significantly with rock fragment cover in bare areas under moderate and high fire severity, but quantitatively important changes were only observed under high fire severity. In areas with a low rock fragment cover, water repellency from soil surfaces covered by rock fragments increased relative to bare soil surfaces, with increasing SWR. In areas with a high rock fragment cover, SWR increased significantly from non‐covered to covered soil surfaces only after low‐severity burning. Rock fragment cover did not affect infiltration rates, although it decreased significantly in soil surfaces after high‐severity burning in areas under low and high rock fragment cover. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

亚像素相位相关法在获取汶川地震近场形变中的应用

震后地表实际破裂带的分布及其近场的形变特征,是理解块体运动学特性、断层破裂特征、地震发生机制等科学问题的十分重要的约束条件。基于InSAR获取的汶川地震同震形变场,由于发震断层附近同震形变梯度巨大,沿断层带出现了非相干条带,以致于无法获得断层附近的形变量。而基于亚像素级的光学影像偏移量法为获取断层附近大形变分布提供了可能。文中以SPOT卫星影像为数据源,采用光学影像偏移量法获得了什邡及茂县地区的水平位移形变场。结果显示龙门山断裂带上至少2条断裂同时发生破裂,形成了主要地表破裂带(龙门山镇-高川破裂带)和次级地表破裂带(汉旺破裂带),沿龙门山镇-高川破裂带平均位移量为4～6m,在高川附近伴随的平均右旋水平位移为1～3m; 汉旺破裂带因逆冲导致水平缩短,平均位移量一般为1～2m。汶川-茂县断裂带没有明显的地表破裂带。研究表明,利用光学影像相位相关法能够获得近断层位错量,可以成为InSAR手段的重要补充。     

A new approach to the monitoring of deformation on Lanzarote (Canary Islands): an 8-year radar perspective

There was significant eruptive activity on Lanzarote (Canary Islands) in the 18th and 19th centuries, and future activity is a clear likelihood today. The fact that not all of the island is covered by geodetic monitoring prompted the authors to assess the possibility of using SAR interferometry for routine volcanic activity monitoring of the island. This paper presents the results obtained after testing this technique using six radar images acquired by the ERS-1 and ERS-2 satellites during the period 1992-2000. The analysis of these images has confirmed the existence of long-term stability coherence across most of the island: a prerequisite for using SAR interferometry in volcano monitoring. The analysis of 15 (redundant) interferograms allowed us to study both the impact of atmospheric artifacts on Lanzarote and any possible displacements, and to conclude that there has been no displacement greater than 3 cm on the island during the period in question. This result matches those obtained with the geodetic equipment installed on the island. Our results show that the inclusion of SAR interferometry in routine geodetic monitoring, supplementing terrestrial techniques, will clearly improve the chances of detecting any possible deformation, and its broad coverage will enhance the interpretation of any observed anomalies.     

Long‐range terrestrial laser scanning for geomorphological change detection in alpine terrain – handling uncertainties

Long‐range terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is an emerging method for the monitoring of alpine slopes in the vicinity of infrastructure. Nevertheless, deformation monitoring of alpine natural terrain is difficult and becomes even more challenging with larger scan distances. In this study we present approaches for the handling of spatially variable measurement uncertainties in the context of geomorphological change detection using multi‐temporal data sets. A robust distance measurement is developed, which deals with surface roughness and areas of lower point densities. The level of detection (LOD), i.e. the threshold distinguishing between real surface change and data noise, is based on a confidence interval considering the spatial variability of TLS errors caused by large laser footprints, low incidence angles and surface roughness. Spatially variable positional uncertainties are modelled for each point according to its range and the object geometry hit. The local point cloud roughness is estimated in the distance calculation process from the variance of least‐squares fitted planes. Distance calculation and LOD assessment are applied in two study areas in the Eastern Alps (Austria) using multi‐temporal laser scanning data sets of slopes surrounding reservoir lakes. At Finstertal, two TLS point clouds of high alpine terrain and scanned from ranges between 300 and 1800 m are compared. At Gepatsch, the comparison is done between an airborne laser scanning (ALS) and a TLS point cloud of a vegetated mountain slope scanned from ranges between 600 and 3600 m. Although these data sets feature different conditions regarding the scan setup and the surface conditions, the presented approach makes it possible to reliably analyse the geomorphological activity. This includes the automatic detection of rock glacier movement, rockfall and debris slides, even in areas where a difference in vegetation cover could be observed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Monitoring fluid substitution in rock samples from noise correlation

An alternative laboratory technique to measure the elastic constants of solid samples, based on the analysis of the cross‐correlation spectra of the vibratory response of randomly excited short solid cylinders, has been recently proposed. The aim of this paper is to check the ability of the technique called passive ultrasonic interferometry to monitor fluid substitution in different rock samples. Velocity variations due to fluid substitution are easily measured if the wave attenuation in the fluid‐saturated rock is not too large (typically in rocks with few cracks or microfractures). The experimental results are in agreement with the predictions of Biot–Gassmann poroelastic theory. The effect of substituting water with a stiffer saturating fluid, such as ethylene glycol, is to increase the overall bulk modulus of the rock, without any substantial effect on shear modulus. Furthermore, the experimental results compare well with those obtained independently with conventional pulse‐transmission technique using ultrasonic transducers. However, the measured pulse‐transmission bulk moduli are slightly larger than the corresponding measured ultrasonic interferometry moduli, with the deviation increasing with increasing fluid viscosity. This can be explained by dispersion due to wave‐induced flow of the viscous fluid since pulse‐transmission experiments involve higher frequencies than ultrasonic interferometry experiments.     

Co‐development of alluvial fan surfaces and arid botanical communities,Stonewall Flat,Nevada, USA

Arid alluvial fan and fluvial dry wash surfaces in Stonewall Flat, Nevada, USA, are characterized using surface geomorphic surveys, soil pits, botanical line surveys, and varnish microlamination dating techniques. Active and abandoned washes, and active fan surfaces are dominated by primary geomorphic processes of high‐energy sedimentation from flash floods. These surfaces are characterized by bar and swale topography, a lack of stone pavements, soil horizons, and rock varnish. Younger terraces and slightly older intermediate fan surfaces are in transition from primary sedimentation processes to lower energy secondary surface‐modifying processes of sheet wash and eolian transport and deposition. These surfaces are characterized by faint to no bar and swale topography, incipient to moderately well‐developed pavements and soil horizons, and abundant coppices. Old and stable fan surfaces are dominated by lower energy secondary processes and manifest well‐developed pavements, soils, and sparse coppices around widely distributed shrubs. Varnish microlamination dating yields ages of 13·15 ka for intermediate fan surfaces and 25·55 to 86·75 ka for stable fan surfaces. Plant communities co‐developing with these surfaces affect and are affected by both primary and secondary geomorphic fan processes. Relatively active surfaces contain few woody species. Co‐dominance of shrubs and annuals with abundant annuals between the shrubs is characteristic of surfaces transitional from primary processes to secondary processes. Stable surfaces dominated by secondary processes are characterized by woody perennials, with long‐lived woody species inhabiting the oldest surfaces. Feedback mechanisms between early botanical communities and eolian deposition affect coppice and pavement development. In turn, these surface features control both the composition and distribution of botanical communities on older, more stable surfaces. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.     

InSAR技术在监测形变中的干涉条件分析

针对InSAR技术在形变监测领域中的应用,本文从分析D-InSAR的干涉机理对其约束条件出发,重点研究空间去相关和形变梯度这两个关键指标对形变信息提取的影响.研究针对不同系统参数的传感器来展开,并论证这两个因素对干涉测量的限制.本文的创新性工作主要集中在以下几个方面: (1)分析了各传感器参数下的临界坡度范围,进而确立了SAR传感器监测的无信息区域;(2)证明了在植被覆盖区,相干性分解必须考虑体散射分量,并依此对模型进行了修正;(3)明确了形变梯度与相位梯度的差异以及两者的函数关系,并将入射角引入形变梯度函数模型.(4)通过模拟数据和真实数据比较各传感器在不同条件下形变监测的优缺点,在统计分析的基础上进一步验证结论.本文的研究是对干涉测量条件的进一步补充,对于理解干涉成像机理、完善InSAR数值计算模型(形变梯度模型和相干性分解模型)以及帮助研究人员根据研究区域特征选择合适的InSAR数据具有一定的参考价值.     

Surface deformation induced by water influx in the abandoned coal mines in Limburg,The Netherlands observed by satellite radar interferometry

The coal reserves of Limburg, The Netherlands, have been exploited until the mid-1970's, leading to significant land subsidence, a large part of which was due to ground water pumping associated with the mining activities. In 1994, when also the hydrologically-connected neighboring German mining activities ceased, all pumps were finally dismantled. This resulted in rising groundwater levels in the mining areas, continuing until today. Here we report the detection and analysis of heterogeneous surface displacements in the area using satellite radar interferometry. The lack of adequate terrestrial geodetic measurements emphasizes the value of such satellite observations, especially in terms of the temporal and spatial characterization of the signal. Since the lack of direct mine water level measurements hampers predictions on future consequences at the surface, we study the relationship between surface deformation and sub-surface water levels in an attempt to provide rough correlation estimates and map the mine water dynamics.     

Biogenic origin of coastal honeycomb weathering

Honeycomb weathering occurs in two environments in Late Cretaceous and Eocene sandstone outcrops along the coastlines of south‐west Oregon and north‐west Washington, USA, and south‐west British Columbia, Canada. At these sites honeycomb weathering is found on subhorizontal rock surfaces in the intertidal zone, and on steep faces in the salt spray zone above the mean high tide level. In both environments, cavity development is initiated by salt weathering. In the intertidal zone, cavity shapes and sizes are primarily controlled by wetting/drying cycles, and the rate of development greatly diminishes when cavities reach a critical size where the amount of seawater left by receding tides is so great that evaporation no longer produces saturated solutions. Encrustations of algae or barnacles may also inhibit cavity enlargement. In the supratidal spray zone, honeycomb weathering results from a dynamic balance between the corrosive action of salt and the protective effects of endolithic microbes. Subtle environmental shifts may cause honeycomb cavity patterns to continue to develop, to become stable, or to coalesce to produce a barren surface. Cavity patterns produced by complex interactions between inorganic processes and biologic activity provide a geological model of ‘self‐organization’. Surface hardening is not a factor in honeycomb formation at these study sites. Salt weathering in coastal environments is an intermittently active process that requires particular wind and tidal conditions to provide a supply of salt water, and temperature and humidity conditions that cause evaporation. Under these conditions, salt residues may be detectable in honeycomb‐weathered rock, but absent at other times. Honeycomb weathering can form in only a few decades, but erosion rates are retarded in areas of the rock that contain cavity patterns relative to adjacent non‐honeycombed surfaces. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison of geomorphological field mapping and 2D‐InSAR mapping of periglacial landscape activity at Nordnesfjellet,northern Norway

The ability to continuously monitor the dynamic response of periglacial landforms in a climate change context is of increasing scientific interest. Satellite radar interferometry provides information on surface displacement that can be related to periglacial processes. Here we present a comparison of two‐dimensional (2D) surface displacement rates and geomorphological mapping at periglacial landform and sediment scale from the mountain Nordnesfjellet in northern Norway. Hence, 2D Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) results stem from a 2009–2014 TerraSAR‐X dataset from ascending and descending orbits, decomposed into horizontal displacement vectors along an east–west plane, vertical displacement vectors and combined displacement velocity. Geomorphological mapping was carried out on aerial imagery and validated in the field. This detailed landform and sediment type mapping revealed an altitudinal distribution dominated by, weathered bedrock blockfields, surrounded primarily by slightly, to non‐vegetated solifluction landforms at the mountain tops. Below, an active rockslide and associated rockfall deposits are located on the steep east‐facing side of the study area, whereas glacial sediments dominate on the gentler western side. We show that 2D InSAR correctly depicts displacement rates that can be associated with typical deformation patterns for flat‐lying or inclined landforms, within and below the regional permafrost limit, for both wet and dry areas. A net lowering of the entire landscape caused by general denudation of the periglacial landforms and sediments is here quantified for the first time using radar remote sensing. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于SAR影像偏移量获取汶川地震二维形变场

本文以ALOS卫星PALSAR影像为数据源,采用强度图像偏移量方法获得的整个汶川地震地表二维形变场显示,整个映秀-北川地表破裂带全长约240 km,从西南端的虹口往北东方向一直延伸到青川县附近,在虹口及北川县城所在地为两个形变量最大区域,偏移量可达4~6 m,局部更是达到了6~8 m.在高川乡附近出现一斜列拉分阶区,宽约8~10 km.在映秀-北川断层的地表破裂迹线南侧约12 km处还有一条汉旺-白鹿次级破裂带,从漩口镇一直延伸到秀水镇,长度大约100 km,在白鹿附近形变量较大,可达3~4 m.另外在小鱼洞附近可见一个NW 走向、长宽约10×5 km、形变幅度达3~4 m的连接以上两条破裂带的地表破裂带,性质为逆冲兼具左旋走滑.研究表明,利用SAR影像偏移量法能够获取近场几米量级的大形变量及客观揭示断层破裂迹线的真实形态和分段特征,可以成为野外观测、InSAR等手段的有益补充,综合以上几种观测手段,优势互补,我们可以构建更为真实的断层模型,进而对汶川地震的复杂破裂过程有更深入的了解.     

Spectral and petrologic analyses of basaltic sands in Ka'u Desert (Hawaii) – implications for the dark dunes on Mars

Dark aeolian deposits on Mars are thought to consist of volcanic materials due to their mineral assemblages, which are common to basalts. However, the sediment source is still debated. Basaltic dunes on Earth are promising analogs for providing further insights into the assumed basaltic sand dunes on Mars. In our study we characterize basaltic dunes from the Ka'u Desert in Hawaii using optical microscopes, electron microprobe, and spectral analyses. We compare the spectra of terrestrial and Martian dune sands to determine possible origins of the Martian dark sediments. Our results show that the terrestrial sands consist primarily of medium to coarse sand‐sized volcanic glass and rock fragments as well as olivine, pyroxene, and plagioclase minerals. Grain shapes range from angular to subrounded. The sample composition indicates that the material was derived from phreatomagmatic eruptions partially with additional proportions of rock fragments from local lava flows. Grain shape and size indicate the materials were transported by aeolian processes rather than by fluvial processes. Spectral analyses reveal an initial hydration of all terrestrial samples. A spectral mineralogical correlation between the terrestrial and Martian aeolian sands shows a similarity consistent with an origin from volcanic ash and lava. We suggest that the Martian deposits may contain similar abundances of volcanic glass, which has not yet been distinguished in Martian spectral data. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Forward modelling and imaging of ground‐penetrating radar in tunnel ahead geological prospecting

Adverse geologies are often encountered during tunnel construction, which could seriously endanger the construction. To ensure the safety, it is essential to detect adverse geologies and their water‐bearing situation ahead the tunnel face. Ground‐penetrating radar is a suitable instrument, but the accurate interpretation of its detection results is difficult. In this paper, at first, an improved back projection imaging algorithm is proposed, which can make reflection waves closer to the real geological boundaries with few artificial clutters. And then, forward modelling of ground‐penetrating radar is carried out for typical adverse geologies, such as karst caves, faults, fractured rock masses, fracture network, and water‐bearing body. Their corresponding response features are obtained, accumulating experience for geological interpretation. The above two methods provide the basis for target identification and geological interpretation. In the last part, the application of the above two methods in several engineering cases are given, and their effectiveness is verified.     

Lithological control on the elevation of shore platforms in a microtidal setting

The shore platforms on Shag Point, southern New Zealand, are quasi‐horizontal surfaces and are developed between supratidal and low water spring levels. A range of morphologies occur, with more exposed platforms having a distinct low‐tide cliff, in contrast to low‐tide surfaces where the seaward edge is buried beneath rubble and macro‐algal growth. The platforms range in width from 20 to 80 m and are eroded into Late Cretaceous/Early Tertiary fine marine sandstones and mudstones. Shore platforms have formed in two principal lithological units: a homogeneous unit that is characterized by few discontinuities, and a fractured unit with joints spaced about 0·5 m apart. Rock hardness is low in both units (L‐type Schmidt hammer rebound values of 31 ± 4), and there is little systematic variation in values between the two units in which platforms have developed. Case‐hardened concretions within the sandstone are significantly harder than surrounding rock and cause local relief of metre scale as the spherical diagenetic features are eroded from the bedrock. They do not, however, appear to affect broad‐scale platform geometry. Joints within the bedrock are a primary control on platform elevation. Platforms formed in jointed rock occur at the lower portion of the intertidal zone, in contrast to platforms formed in unjointed bedrock, in which horizontal surfaces occur at or above mean high water spring tide level. Rock structure, therefore, appears to be the primary determinant factor of platform geometry at Shag Point. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

永久散射体雷达差分干涉应用于区域地表沉降探测

永久散射体干涉测量技术可以克服常规干涉方法在区域地表形变测量中的雷达信号失相关和大气延迟影响. 本文对基于永久散射体的干涉处理全过程进行了分析, 基于差分相位的两个主要特性: 沉降信号时序相关、地形相位与空间基线成比例, 提出构建PS网络, 并采用间接观测平差法估计沉降速度网和高程修正网的全局最优解. 实验选取上海地区近10年间的ERS-1/2卫星C波段SAR数据进行干涉处理, 在永久散射体上分离形变信号、高程修正和大气分量, 并最终提取上海地区高分辨率地面沉降速度场, PS结果与地面精密观测成果吻合较好.     

Internal structure of an alpine rock glacier based on crosshole georadar traveltimes and amplitudes

Rapid melting of permafrost in many alpine areas has increased the probability of catastrophic rock slides. In an attempt to provide critical structural information needed for the design and implementation of suitable mitigation procedures, we have acquired low frequency (22 MHz) cross‐hole radar data from within a fast‐moving rock glacier, an important form of alpine permafrost. Since the ice, rock and pockets of water and air found in the underground of high alpine areas have very different dielectric permittivities and electrical conductivities, the radar method was well‐suited for investigating the structure and state of the rock glacier. Our interpretation of the radar velocities and attenuations was constrained by geomorphological observations, borehole lithological logs and the results of a surface seismic survey. The radar data revealed the existence of a discontinuous 7–11 m thick ice‐rich zone distinguished by high velocities (0.14–0.17 m/ns) and low attenuations (0.04–0.09 m^?1) and a thin underlying ice‐free zone characterized by moderate velocities (0.11–0.12 m/ns) and low attenuations (0.04–0.09 m^?1). Beneath these two zones, we observed a prominent band of high velocities (0.14–0.17 m/ns) and moderately high attenuations (0.10–0.20 m^?1) associated with unconsolidated glacial sediments and numerous large air‐filled voids, which in the past were probably filled with ice. At greater depths, the variably dry to water‐saturated sediments were represented by generally lower velocities (0.08–0.10 m/ns) and higher attenuations (0.16–0.24 m^?1). The bedrock surface was represented by an abrupt ～0.03 m/ns velocity increase. We speculate that the disappearance of ice, both laterally and with depth, occurred during the past one to two decades.