Satellite InSAR Ground Deformation Monitoring
INSAR Corporation provides satellite-based ground deformation monitoring for mining, tailings dams, landslides, infrastructure, and energy projects worldwide. We analyze historical and ongoing satellite observations to map ground movement, quantify displacement trends, and identify areas requiring further investigation.
Our services combine advanced InSAR time-series processing, multidimensional deformation analysis, and measurement validation to support engineering assessments and operational decisions.
Applications
Mining & Tailings
Mine slopes, tailings facilities, and mining-induced ground deformation.
Oil, Gas & Energy
Extraction, injection, underground storage, and energy infrastructure.
Infrastructure & Geohazards
Critical infrastructure, transportation corridors, landslides, and unstable terrain.
Land Subsidence & Water Resources
Groundwater-related subsidence, aquifer compaction, and regional ground movement.
Examples
The examples below are independent analyses we carried out using publicly available satellite data, not client engagements, shown here to demonstrate our methods and the kind of results satellite InSAR can deliver.
Tengiz Oil Field, Kazakhstan
Ascending and descending Sentinel-1 combined with MSBAS resolves an elliptical subsidence bowl over the oil field about 20 km across, with the center dropping about 0.40 m over five years.
Open-Pit Slope Creep, Colombia
At a large open-pit coal mine, the dominant signal is east-west horizontal motion rather than vertical: the fastest-moving point on the pit wall moved about 2.2 m eastward since 2017.
Salt-Cavern Subsidence, Brazil
MSBAS resolves a subsidence bowl from collapsing salt-mine cavities, with about 1.3 m of cumulative displacement at the center over nine years, continuing years after mining stopped.
Expertise
INSAR Corporation combines extensive scientific expertise, advanced InSAR methods, and rigorous quality assessment to deliver reliable ground deformation measurements and interpretation. Explore our InSAR technology and methods
Scientific Expertise
20+ years PhD-level expertise in InSAR and ground deformation analysis.
200+ peer-reviewed publications authored or coauthored by our scientific leadership.
Multidimensional Analysis
Advanced Multidimensional Small Baseline Subset (MSBAS) methods enable estimation of multiple displacement components where satellite geometry and data quality permit. This is particularly important for monitoring horizontal creep of open-pit mine walls and landslides, where vertical displacement alone may not capture the dominant motion.
Quality & Validation
We assess measurement uncertainty, validate InSAR results against independent observations where available, and integrate satellite measurements with GNSS and tiltmeters. We design monitoring and alert systems to identify anomalous ground movement and maintain strict confidentiality of all client data and findings.
Discuss Your Project
Tell us about your project location and monitoring objectives. We can assess satellite data availability and recommend an approach for historical deformation analysis, ongoing monitoring, or independent validation.