Relationships between InSAR-detected Subsidence Points in West-Central Florida and Geomorphological features (such as wetlands, ponds and swallets) of Sinkhole-related activity
Abstract
Sinkholes are one of the leading natural disasters in West-Central Florida, which is known as the "sinkhole alley" due to its high rate of sinkhole activity. To prevent the loss of lives and alleviate the risks of property damage, precursory detection of sinkhole- related activity before collapse is crucial. Studies show that the Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) method can be used to detect surface subsidence. InSAR is a spaceborne remote sensing technique that uses multiple Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images to measure surface changes over time. Using the Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) method, processed InSAR datasets can be used to create time series datasets of localized subsidence. A current NSF-funded project produces high resolution InSAR images, collected by the TerraSAR-X satellite, in three targeted areas. However, in Florida, InSAR detection of subsidence is limited to scattering received from infrastructure (mostly buildings); vegetated areas are poor scatterers that lose coherence over time. Therefore, to potentially improve understanding and possible forecasting of sinkhole-induced subsidence, we thoroughly analyze these existing datasets. We complete a statistical analysis of individual InSAR time series points for slope breaks (between satellite measurements every 11 or 22 days) that might be expected raveling events. Using histograms for comparison, we examine whether slope breaks are correlated with the timing of both groundwater withdrawal and/or intense rainfall events. A weighted spatial density analysis will be completed to examine the relationships between the timing of slope breaks from the statistical analysis, and nearby geomorphological features of sinkhole related activity or vulnerability. Clusters of persistent scattering may be expected to be in close proximity to sinkhole features.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFM.H41I1805R
- Keywords:
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- 1832 Groundwater transport;
- HYDROLOGY;
- 1835 Hydrogeophysics;
- HYDROLOGY;
- 4303 Hydrological;
- NATURAL HAZARDS;
- 8010 Fractures and faults;
- STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY