DC2-PhD: Quantitative ground deformation monitoring based on advanced DInSAR techniques

The injection and storage of CO2 can result in terrain deformation, which can be assessed using Differential Interferometry Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) imagery. This technique relies on phase differences between multiple dates to measure surface deformation. The project aims to enhance measurement precision to mitigate potential collateral effects of CO2 injection and storage.

Objectives: Assessing the performance of current DInSAR techniques, making a full characterization of the different DInSAR error sources. Estimating the sensitivity of the DInSAR technique to deformation, and evaluating the precision level attainable by the DInSAR measurements using uncertainty analysis techniques. Optimizing the DInSAR data processing and analysis procedures to increase the precision and reliability of the DInSAR measurements

Expected Results: The entire research work will be focused on the quantitative aspects of DInSAR deformation measurement. A first important result will be a characterization of the different error sources that affect the main DInSAR outcomes, i.e., the deformation velocity maps and time series. A second part will be a comprehensive study of the sensitivity and the precision of the DInSAR observations. In SMILE, this aspect is important because the fluid injection or extraction is often associated with very small ground deformation. The third key result will be the optimization of DInSAR data analysis procedures, with the aim of improving the performance of current DInSAR techniques.

Doctoral candidate: Paula Olea

Host Institution: Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (Spain) 

Secondments: Gamma, GReD