Characterizing Surface Deformation of the Earthquake-Induced Daguangbao Landslide by Combining Satellite- and Ground-Based InSAR

• Published in: Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2024-12, Vol.25 (1), p.66
• Main Authors: Wang, Xiaomeng, Zhang, Wenjun, Cai, Jialun, Wang, Xiaowen, Wu, Zhouhang, Fan, Jing, Yao, Yitong, Deng, Binlin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2008 AD; Accuracy; China; Daguangbao landslide; Datasets; Deformation; downslope displacement transformation; Earthquakes; Emergency communications systems; Geology; Geometry; ground-based radar (GB-SAR); interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR); Landslides; Landslides & mudslides; Metamorphic rocks; Optical radar; Orbits; Remote sensing; Satellites; Synthetic aperture radar; Time series
• ISSN: 1424-8220; 1424-8220
• DOI: 10.3390/s25010066

The Daguangbao landslide (DGBL), triggered by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, is a rare instance of super-giant landslides globally. The post-earthquake evolution of the DGBL has garnered significant attention in recent years; however, its deformation patterns remain poorly characterized owing to the complex local topography. In this study, we present the first observations of the surface dynamics of DGBL by integrating satellite- and ground-based InSAR data complemented by kinematic interpretation using a LiDAR-derived Digital Surface Model (DSM). The results indicate that the maximum line-of-sight (LOS) displacement velocity obtained from satellite InSAR is approximately 80.9 mm/year between 1 January 2021, and 30 December 2023, with downslope displacement velocities ranging from -60.5 mm/year to 69.5 mm/year. Ground-based SAR (GB-SAR) enhances satellite observations by detecting localized apparent deformation at the rear edge of the landslide, with LOS displacement velocities reaching up to 1.5 mm/h. Our analysis suggests that steep and rugged terrain, combined with fragile and densely jointed lithology, are the primary factors contributing to the ongoing deformation of the landslide. The findings of this study demonstrate the effectiveness of combining satellite- and ground-based InSAR systems, highlighting their complementary role in interpreting complex landslide deformations.