Using SAR Observation Data to Support the Spatial Planning in Areas Affected by Landslide Phenomena

Due to the hydro geological instability involving our territories, soil ecosystems and built areas are increasingly threatened by potentially catastrophic phenomena, such as subsidence or landslides, which can also pose a danger to people safety. In the light of this, a comprehensive characterization of the instability, in terms of spatial extent and evolution over time, is needed for managing the related risk, take the proper mitigation actions and drive the spatial planning activities. Geospatial data, such as Copernicus Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) observations, processed using Multi-Temporal Interferometric (MTInSAR) techniques, represent a well-established and reliable tool for controlling large areas interested by ground motion events. Open and free SAR data, provided by the European Space Agency through the European Ground Motion Service, constitute an additional support. The proposed research shows the results of an application of SAR geospatial observations in the monitoring of an anthropic area affected by a landslide. To this aim, satellite acquisitions have been utilized to thoroughly describe the instability occurrence, by retrieving its main kinematic parameters and quantifying its extent. The outcomes of the analysis addressed the design of the mitigation measures to be taken for securing the study area and helped the regional Government Commissioner for the environmental risk in the planning of the future use of the space involved in the landslide phenomenon.