Landslide risk monitoring with Sentinel-1

Sentinel-1A radar scans from 23 September and 30 August 2014 were combined to create this ‘interferometric’ image showing surface deformation of a landslide in the municipality of Kåfjord in Troms county, Norway. In the 24 days between the two acquisitions, the ground moved about 1 cm.

Synthetic aperture radar interferometry – or InSAR – is an important technique used by the Norwegian authorities to map rockslide hazards nationwide. The unprecedented coverage offered by the Sentinel-1 mission will significantly increase the value of InSAR data for this purpose. The satellite passes over the same spot on the ground every 12 days.