Geohazard risk assessment using high resolution SAR interferometric techniques: a case study of Larissa National Airport Central Greece

Abstract. The possibility of use the productions of Earth Resource Satellite (ERS-1/2) and Advanced Environment Satellite ENVISAT SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) C-band have given the potential to detect and estimate the time series of dynamic ground deformation within high spatial and temporal resolution. The Larissa National Airport is suffering from continued ground deformation as evidenced by the presence of ground fissures and sinkholes as well as observed land subsidence. This study uses two Synthetic Aperture Radar interferometric techniques (InSAR) to detect short- and long-term ground deformation dynamics in the airport using the GAMMA Software (S/W). The results indicate complex subsidence and uplift processes at ranges between −15 and 25 mm a⁻¹ to co-occur in different parts of the study region. Some of these changes may be attributed to tectonic fault movements but some of the observed ground deformation processes are more likely to result from human induced changes in the groundwater level and expansive soils.