EGU21-12368, updated on 04 Mar 2021
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu21-12368
EGU General Assembly 2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Semi-automated assessment of geological phenomena of Active Deformation Areas (ADA) detected by radar interferometry in Alt Urgell and Cerdanya, Catalonia (Spain)

Ivan Fabregat1, Jaume Casanovas2, Jordi Marturià1, Pere Buxó1, and Anna Barra3
Ivan Fabregat et al.
  • 1Institut Cartogràfic i Geològic de Catalunya (ICGC), Unitat de Prevenció de Riscos Geològics, Barcelona, Spain (i.fabregat@icgc.cat)
  • 2Geomaping Serveis Geològics S.L., Barcelona, Spain.
  • 3Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya, Geomatics Division, Castelldefels, Spain.

Geological hazards related to ground movements are difficult to assess at a regional scale due the lack of detailed information on the occurrence of the phenomena and the large number of potential vulnerable elements in the territory. Therefore, progress in analyzes at the regional scale can be a very useful tool for risk management.

This work, developed in the Alt Urgell and La Cerdanya counties (Catalunya, NE Spain) has served as the basis for the geological risk identification associated with ground movements. The methodology is based on the use of the Active Deformation Areas (ADA) detected by medium resolution radar satellite interferometry (Sentinel-1A and Sentinel-1B). The goal is to obtain a quick and semi-automatically classification of the ADAs according to the probable geological phenomena origin (landslides, rockfalls and subsidence).

This ADA classification is based on current data (DTM and geology) and easy to implement with GIS, takes in account: (i), landslide inventories, to allow the direct validation of the geological phenomenon; (ii) geology -information of the geological units type-; (iii) slope terrain -morphology-, determines the classification of the movement cause, depending on the slope, they are more or less prone to the generation of geological phenomena (e.g. slopes <35º: landslides); and (iv) land uses, determines the potential impact on vulnerable areas (e.g. high, in urbanized areas; low, in natural environments). This methodology provides an ADA first geological susceptibility categorization that allows optimizing and prioritizing efforts in detailed geological and geomorphological characterization works.

The clustering of scattering points gave a result of 361 ADA (over an area of around 2,000 km2), 145 was classified as potentially generated by a geological phenomenon (126 susceptible to landslides, 7 as rockfalls, 7 as subsidence and 5 as landslides or rockfalls) and 215 were classified as other causes.

Ideally, validation is based on contrasting the ADA with actual inventory data. However, the lack of complete and exhaustive inventories require validation based on classic methods such as photointerpretation and field work. All areas were checked by means of geomorphological analysis to ensure their susceptibility: 143 has identified as caused by geological phenomena, 153 has related with geological depositional process (rocky ground) and 65 has discarded.

This work has been supported by the European Commission under the Interreg V-A-POCTEFA programme (grant no. Mompa – EFA295/19).

How to cite: Fabregat, I., Casanovas, J., Marturià, J., Buxó, P., and Barra, A.: Semi-automated assessment of geological phenomena of Active Deformation Areas (ADA) detected by radar interferometry in Alt Urgell and Cerdanya, Catalonia (Spain), EGU General Assembly 2021, online, 19–30 Apr 2021, EGU21-12368, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu21-12368, 2021.

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