Work

Assessing Ground Deformation Dynamics and Driving Mechanisms in Beijing Using Integrated Sentinel-1A and LuTan-1 InSAR Observations

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Ground deformation monitoring is pivotal for enhancing urban resilience and mitigating geohazards. This study presents a synergistic monitoring framework integrating 26 Sentinel-1A (C-band) and 16 LuTan-1 (L-band) SAR scenes acquired between December 2023 and August 2025 to characterize the deformation dynamics in Beijing. Utilizing SBAS-InSAR, we first established a regional deformation baseline using Sentinel-1A observations, identifying critical subsidence and uplift zones in the eastern plains. Subsequently, high-resolution (3 m) LT-1 data were leveraged to achieve refined spatiotemporal characterization of these deformation hotspots. Validation against ground leveling benchmarks confirmed that both two satellites yield high accuracy, Lutan-1 (RMSE= 3.810 mm) subtly outperforming Sentinel-1A (RMSE = 4.853 mm). Analysis of the spatiotemporal patterns derived from InSAR revealed that the study area is characterized by widespread slight uplift (averaging ~10 mm/a), interspersed with acute localized subsidence exceeding 40 mm/a. Correlation analysis demonstrates a high spatiotemporal coupling between the extent and rate of surface uplift and groundwater level recovery. To further investigate these dynamics, Terzaghi’s effective stress principle is employed to quantify the contribution of groundwater level fluctuations to the observed surface deformation. A Parametric Harmonic Model was implemented to decouple elastic and trend components, and attribution analysis confirms that the continuous recovery of groundwater levels is the fundamental driver of the regional surface uplift. The inverted elastic skeletal storativity (Ske), ranging from 1.587×10-3 to 9.184×10-3, reveals that regional surface uplift is predominantly driven by the elastic rebound of aquifer systems following groundwater recovery. In contrast, localized subsidence anomalies observed at large-scale engineering construction sites, landfill facilities, major expressway corridors, and high-density residential areas are independent of groundwater fluctuations, instead they are primarily attributed to anthropogenic stressors. This study elucidates a dual-drive mechanism, which comprising macroscopic hydrogeological rebound and localized anthropogenic disturbance, providing a robust scientific basis for differentiated urban hazard management.

Source: Remote Sensing

DOI: 10.3390/rs18091274

Authors: Zhiwei Huang, Fengli Zhang, Yanan Jiao, Junna Yuan, Xiaochen Liu, Jingwen Yuan

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Aerospace Information Research Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Applications and Techniques

Subfield: Aerospace Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258