Evolution of surface deformation related to salt-extraction-caused sinkholes in Solotvyno (Ukraine) revealed by Sentinel-1 radar interferometry
<p>Rock salt has remarkable mechanical properties and high economic importance; however, the strength of salt compared to other rocks makes it a rather vulnerable material. Human activities could lead to acceleration of the dissolution of soluble rock salt and collapse of subsurface caverns. A...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences |
| Online Access: | https://nhess.copernicus.org/articles/21/977/2021/nhess-21-977-2021.pdf |
| Summary: | <p>Rock salt has remarkable mechanical properties and high
economic importance; however, the strength of salt compared to other rocks
makes it a rather vulnerable material. Human activities could lead to
acceleration of the dissolution of soluble rock salt and collapse of
subsurface caverns. Although sinkhole development can be considered a local
geological disaster regarding the characteristic size of surface depressions,
the deformations can result in catastrophic events. In this study we report
the spatiotemporal evolution of surface deformation in the Solotvyno salt
mine area in Ukraine based on Sentinel-1 interferometric synthetic aperture
radar measurements. Although the mining operations were finished in 2010,
several sinkholes have been opened up since then. Our results show that
despite the enormous risk management efforts, the sinkholes continue to
expand with a maximum line-of-sight deformation rate of 5 cm/yr. The
deformation time series show a rather linear feature, and unfortunately no
slowdown of the processes can be recognized based on the investigated 4.5-year-long data set. We utilized both ascending and descending satellite
passes to discriminate the horizontal and vertical deformations, and our
results revealed that vertical deformation is much more pronounced in the
area. Analytical source modeling confirmed that the complex deformation
pattern observed by Sentinel-1 radar interferometry has a direct connection
to the former mining activity and is confined to the mining territory. With
the 6 d repetition time of Sentinel-1 observations, the evolution of
surface changes can be detected in quasi real time, which can facilitate
disaster response and recovery.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 1561-8633 1684-9981 |