Post-earthquake landslide detection and early detection of landslide prone areas using SAR

High-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) played an important role in the disaster management efforts after the Wenchuan Earthquake on May 12, 2008. SAR data was used for damage assessment, risk monitoring, and for the continuous monitoring of the so-called quake lakes. Landslides, triggered by the earthquake and the aftershocks, devastated large areas, killing thousands of people. Landslides formed natural dams, blocking rivers and leading to 34 so-called quake lakes, endangering millions of inhabitants and rescue workers downstream. SAR, amongst other sensor systems, was used to detect landslides and monitor those quake lakes. SAR can also assist the risk analysis by early surveying landslide prone areas and supporting the risk management and disaster reduction approaches.