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DInSAR analysis of ALOS PALSAR images for the assessment of very slow landslides: the Tena Valley case study

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Abstract

In this work we analyse the performance of advanced land observing satellite (ALOS) phased array type L-band syntetic aperture radar (PALSAR) images for mapping and monitoring of very slow landslides using conventional differential interferometry in the Tena Valley (Central Pyrenees, Spain). These results are compared with those retrieved in previous works where multi-band advanced differential interferometric synthetic aperture radar (DInSAR) analysis was performed for the same area using PSI techniques. The study area is largely underlain by slates (ca. 80 %) where large deep-seated very slow earth flows are dominant. The results reveal that DInSAR analysis is able to measure displacements of landslides with a greater spatial coverage than PSI analysis, but for a lower amount of them (nine against 51). Overall, the combination of the DInSAR and multi-band PSI analysis permitted to map and monitor 68 % of the landslides in Tena Valley. From this amount, 63 landslides are considered as active. The main advantage of DInSAR with respect to PSI analysis is the capability to detect faster movements (up to 145 cm year−1) derived from the 46 days interferograms. That is the case of Sextas and La Selva landslides where an acceleration of the moving mass was measured after intense rainfall periods producing major damages to linear infrastructures. The combination of measured displacement from ALOS interferograms, with the observed damages on the A-136 road, was useful to assess the potential damage that could cause these slow movements. In general, it is demonstrated that even though PSI analysis provides a better performance in terms of landslide mapping, L-band DInSAR analysis provides an added value for landslide hazard assessment through radar remote sensing. For this reason it is necessary to encourage the launch of new satellite missions similar to ALOS PALSAR that could operate with shorter revisiting time periods.

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Acknowledgements

ALOS PALSAR data courtesy AOALO-3550, C JAXA. The DEM has been provided by the cartographic service of the government of Aragón. The info on damage and repair costs of the A-136 has been given by the Provincial Roads Service Huesca. Geotechnical reports and survey data of movement on slopes have been granted by ARAMON-Formigal SA. We thank the City of Sallent de Gállego for their cooperation and support in carrying out field campaigns. Piezometric data in the Portalet landslide have been granted by the Department of Exploitation and Exploration of Mines of the Oviedo University. This work was funded by the project “Développement d’Outils pour le Suivi des Mouvements de Sol pour la gestion durable de SUDOE” DO-SMS (SUDOE INTERREG IV B) and the Spanish Geological Survey (IGME).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Valencia Unit, Geo-Hazard InSAR Laboratory Geological Risk Group, Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME), c/ Cirilo Amorós 42 Entresuelo, 46004, Valencia, Spain

    Juan Carlos García-Davalillo

  2. Geo-Hazard InSAR Laboratory Geological Risk Group, Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME), c/ Ríos Rosas 23, 28003, Madrid, Spain

    Gerardo Herrera

  3. Department of earth and environmental science, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1, 27100, Pavia, Italy

    Davide Notti

  4. Gamma Remote Sensing, Worbstrasse 225, 3073, Gümligen, Swizerland

    Tazio Strozzi

  5. Department of Mining Engineering, University of Oviedo, c/ Independencia 13, 33004, Oviedo, Spain

    Inmaculada Álvarez-Fernández

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  1. Juan Carlos García-Davalillo
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  2. Gerardo Herrera
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  4. Tazio Strozzi
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  5. Inmaculada Álvarez-Fernández
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Correspondence to Juan Carlos García-Davalillo.

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García-Davalillo, J.C., Herrera, G., Notti, D. et al. DInSAR analysis of ALOS PALSAR images for the assessment of very slow landslides: the Tena Valley case study. Landslides 11, 225–246 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-012-0379-8

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