On the application of SAR interferometry to geomorphological studies: estimation of landform attributes and mass movements

• Published in: Geomorphology (Amsterdam) Vol. 66; no. 1; pp. 119 - 131
• Main Authors: Catani, Filippo, Farina, Paolo, Moretti, Sandro, Nico, Giovanni, Strozzi, Tazio
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.03.2005; Elsevier
• Subjects: Digital Elevation Model (DEM); Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Exact sciences and technology; Geomorphology, landform evolution; Landslides; Marine and continental quaternary; Natural hazards: prediction, damages, etc; Surficial geology; Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) interferometry; Terrain analysis; Southern Europe; Italy; Landslides; Terrain analysis; Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) interferometry; Digital Elevation Model (DEM); models; mountains; mass movements; aerial photography; Europe; interferometry; digital elevation models; case studies; slopes; landforms; synthetic aperture radar; modern; landslides; landform evolution
• ISSN: 0169-555X; 1872-695X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2004.08.012

This paper presents two examples of application of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) interferometry (InSAR) to typical geomorphological problems. The principles of InSAR are introduced, taking care to clarify the limits and the potential of this technique for geomorphological studies. The application of InSAR to the quantification of landform attributes such as the slope and to the estimation of landform variations is investigated. Two case studies are presented. A first case study focuses on the problem of measuring landform attributes by interferometric SAR data. The interferometric result is compared with the corresponding one obtained by a Digital Elevation Model (DEM). In the second case study, the use of InSAR for the estimation of landform variations caused by a landslide is detailed.