Co-location of geodetic reference points: On the design and performance of an Integrated Geodetic Reference Station

Geodesists use multiple methods to monitor surface deformation. This gives the opportunity to integrate complementary data for better interpretation of deformation processes. The integration of data has to deal with: (1) spatio-temporal differences in sampling methodologies, meaning that observed objects are not the same and thus observed...

The detection of deformation on vegetated dikes using InSAR

Almost four million people in the Netherlands who live below sea level are protected by 17000 km of dikes against the water. Since deformation can be an indicator of a developing failure mechanism, information about this parameter can help authorities to detect weak spots in the dutch water defense structures. <br/>In this research, Radar...

Use of InSAR data for building deformation monitoring

This thesis explores the use of InSAR data for building monitoring. The area of main interest is the city centre of Amsterdam, where quay wall replacements are necessary on a large scale. In Amsterdam, the foundation quality needs to be checked before construction activities nearby are performed, such as a quay wall replacement. Levelling...

Locating PS-InSAR derived deformation using LiDAR point clouds

Built mainly on soft soil, the Netherlands is at high risk for the effects of deformation. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is successfully used to monitor the deformation trends at millimetre level. Unfortunately the InSAR deformation trends suffer from poor geolocation estimates, limiting the ability to link deformation...

Detection of subsurface meltwater in East Antarctica using SAR Interferometry

Climate change has been a heated topic in recent years, and the mass loss of ice sheets is one aspect of it. The Antarctic Ice Sheet has experienced certain mass loss in the form of ice-shelf collapse and (sub-)surface melting, but thorough study remains limited due to the remote location of the continent. Therefore, remote sensing is expected...

Data assimilation, Geomechanical parameter estimation in the Groningen hydrocarbon reservoir from PS-InSAR measurements with a particle filter

This thesis explores the usage of the particle filter as a data assimilation technique to estimate subsurface processes, such as reservoir volume change from space-geodetic PS-InSAR surface measurements. The specific research area is Groningen, where subsidence is induced by hydrocarbon and salt production.<br/>The satellite radar PS-InSAR...

Web based visualisation of 3D radar and LiDAR data

To improve the interpretation of the low density InSAR data a combination is made with high density airborne and terrestrial laser scanner data. Allowing for improvement of the positioning of the scatterers and the understanding of their behaviour. This combination is implemented as a web application, suitable for researchers to create 3D...

Estimation of InSAR Tropospheric Delay Using ERA-Interim Global Atmospheric Reanalysis

Tropospheric delays are considered to be one of the main performance limitations for Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar technology when applied to ground deformation monitoring. In this study, we evaluate the performance of ERA-Interim global atmospheric reanalysis on estimating the tropospheric delay on Sentinel-1 InSAR observations. The...

QUInSAR: Temporal Parameter and Ambiguity Estimation Using Recursive Least-Squares: A Methodology for Persistent Scatterer Interferometry

Parameter and ambiguity estimation in the temporal domain, for arcs of differential phase observations between two persistent scatterers (PS), is a critical part in Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI). Deformation models, used as constraint in the parameter estimation, often do not capture the full extent of the deformation behaviour. This...

Sinking Yangon: Detection of subsidence caused by groundwater extraction using SAR interferometry and PSI time-series analysis for Sentinel-1 data

Inhabitants and ecosystems in delta areas are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the effects of subsidence, triggered both by natural causes and anthropogenic causes. Yangon is a city in the Irrawaddy delta in Myanmar where little is known about the true extent of this hazard, while its effects can potentially harm millions of its inhabitants....

A feasibility study of building monitoring and forensic engineering with Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar

The last years have seen a few severe cases of structural damage to buildings in the Netherlands. A recent case was the shopping mall ‘t Loon in Heerlen. It would be beneficial if structural failures could be avoided, or at least be predicted. New satellite technology, Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), proves that it is possible...

Optimized Extraction of InSAR derived Along-Track Deformation during Glacial Surges

During 1997-2000 Dyngjujökull, one of the major outlet glaciers of the main Icelandic ice cap Vatnajökull, surged. This event was captured by ERS 1 and 2 satellites flying in tandem mode, enabling the use of InSAR to monitor the motion of the glacier. Since a major limitation of InSAR is its sensitivity to deformation in only one dimension, the...

PALSAR InSAR Processing, Subsidence of agricultural highland regions in Yemen

The use of Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) to monitor ground subsidence and the general principles behind InSAR were studied and summarized. The obtained knowledge was used to process the Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) data of the region between Sana’a and Dhamar, Yemen, from raw data to...

Phase unwrapping algorithm using edge detection and statistical cost functions

Phase unwrapping algorithm for InSAR

Identification and analysis of point scatterers in time series InSAR

In this study methods are developed for improved analysis and processing of PSI data. PSI, or radar interferometry, makes it possible to use satellite radar images to measure deformation of the Earth’s surface and objects on it with millimetre accuracy. However, interpretation of the measurements and identifying the actually measured objects is...

Measuring Surface Deformation Caused by Permafrost Thawing Using Radar Interferometry, Case Study: Zackenberg, NE Greenland

Permafrost in high-arctic regions has been very much influenced by global warming. Many thousands of square kilometers of permafrost are under certain degree of thawing. Site measurements have provided useful data for researchers. However, these ground-based measurements are usually site-specific with poor spatial coverage. Here we apply Multi...