Error-Regulated Multi-Pass DInSAR Analysis for Landslide Risk Assessment

Abstract

Landslide risk assessment based on Differential Interferometric <small>SAR</small> analyses (<small>DInSAR</small>) is associated with a number of error effects. We here approach the problem of assessing landslide risks over mountainous areas, where <small>DInSAR</small> observations are often influenced by orographic effects and inaccurate base topographies by employing a dedicated error compensation. In order to obtain accurate information on surface deformation, we apply corrections for <small>DInSAR</small> interferograms using high-resolution base topography and water vapor information obtained from a satellite radiometer. We observe that the corrected <small>DInSAR</small> output is in accordance with the environmental context as inferred by geological and geomorphological settings. It is feasible to better quantify landslide monitoring schemes whenever high- accuracy atmospheric error maps and a methodology to effectively compensate for external errors in <small>DInSAR</small> interferograms are available. The approach in this study can be further upgraded for future <small>SAR</small>-based assessments and various error correction approaches for even more precise landslide risk assessments.