Analysis of a subsidence process by integrating geological and hydrogeological modelling with satellite insar data

Abstract

This paper focuses on a multidisciplinary study carried out in an urban area affected by subsidence. The area is located about 20 km east of Rome (Italy) and is affected by dewatering processes mainly linked to quarry activities. Furthermore, compressible soils are locally resent immediately below the ground level. Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) analyses carried out with different approaches on ERS and ENVISAT data were performed. The so reconstructed time series of ground displacements were then coupled and compared with a detailed geological model and the variations over time of piezometric levels. Such data overlay allowed us to better understand and constrain the relation among ground displacement, piezometric variations, geological setting and geotechnical properties of subsoil. .