Integration of InSAR and GIS for an estimation of ground subsidence susceptibility

Ground subsidence susceptibility at a coal mine by integration of L-band SAR measurements and a subsidence hazard model incorporated in GIS was estimated. A subsidence hazard map was constructed using JERS-1 SAR data from the early 1990s and the subsidence hazard model. A certainty factor analysis was employed for estimating the relative weights of four control factors influencing coal mine subsidence. The relative weight of each factor was then integrated to generate a subsidence hazard index (SHI) by a fuzzy combination operator. The hazard map was validated by comparison with subsidence observed by ALOS PALSAR interferometry in 2007-2008. The results showed a good agreement between the predicted locations vulnerable to subsidence and the actual subsidence occurrences with an accuracy of about 72.5%. These results showed that the map produced by integration of InSAR and GIS can be used to predict and monitor coal mine subsidence hazards, especially in remote regions.