Work

Multi-Scale Ground Deformation in Beijing Plain Revealed by a Joint 2D-FFT and MGWR Decomposition of InSAR Observation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Understanding urban surface deformation from InSAR one dimensional line-of-sight (LOS) observation is challenging due to the interplay of various natural and anthropogenic driving factors. This study proposes a novel multi-scale InSAR deformation decomposition method that integrates two-dimensional fast Fourier transform (2D-FFT) with a multi-scale geographically weighted regression model (MGWR). We apply this method to analyze urban ground deformation in the Beijing Plain, China, using Sentinel-1 data from 2016 to 2023. The results identify five significant subsidence areas with the maximum subsidence reaching -360 mm. The decomposed large-scale component (4–8 km) correlates closely with the thickness of Quaternary sediments and variations of groundwater. The medium-scale component (1–3 km) is associated with the urban construction activities, while the small-scale deformation (<0.6 km) reveals localized subsidence along subway with tunnel construction. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in capturing the multi-scale deformation patterns, especially the concealed small-scale deformation, through a single orbit of InSAR observation. Therefore, it shows high potentials to improve the urban infrastructure safety such as subway engineering.

Source: IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing

DOI: 10.1109/jstars.2025.3573810

Authors: Nian Feng, Lei Xie, Wenbin Xu, Miao Yu

Institutions: Central South University, Beijing Urban Construction Design & Development Group (China)

Language: English

Topic: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Applications and Techniques

Subfield: Aerospace Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,800