The pattern of surface deformations in the Dąbrowa Basin (Poland) based on PSInSAR analysis

Slow, long-term ground deformations in the Dąbrowa Basin (southern Poland) were identified based on ERS-1, ERS-2 and ENVISAT Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images that were processed by means of Permanent Scatterer SAR Interferometry (PSInSAR). The Dąbrowa Basin is a region where two major factors can affect surface stability: intensive coal exploitation and neotectonic processes. In this study, in order to clarify the origin of surface deformations, the authors propose applying a newly developed algorithm of spatio-temporal PSInSAR data analysis. This analysis revealed that subsidence is a characteristic feature of the Dąbrowa Basin. A significant correlation exists between slow, long-term ground deformations and the location of the main tectonic structure of this region. The proposed spatiotemporal analysis of the PSInSAR data additionally showed some degree of correlation between mining activity and the studied deformations. This interconnection is a significant achievement of this study since the deformation values determined by means of PSInSAR were identified in earlier works solely on the basis of Dąbrowa Basin neotectonics.