This work aims to explore the recent tectonic activity of structures in the outermost sector of the Northern Apennines comprising the structures buried below the Po Plain up to the Pede-Apennine thrust front. This area represents the active leading-edge of the thrust belt and is dominated by compressive deformation, as shown by the fault plane solutions of earthquakes, in agreement with geological data (Boccaletti et al., 2004; Basili et al., 2008; Fantoni & Franciosi, 2010). In addition to the scattered distribution of seismicity, other factors make the understanding of the seismo-tectonic setting very complex, such as the large thickness of sediments in the Po Plain, and the strong impact of human activity on this area, which may cause significant vertical ground motion. We have applied the PSInSAR method to obtain new insights into the present-day deformation pattern of the frontal area of the Northern Apennines. Persistent Scatterers Interferometry (PSInSAR) is suitable for high-resolution assessment of surface deformations (submillimeter precision) over a long period of observation using numerous radar images. We used 54 ENVISAT images collected between 2004 and 2010. Thanks to the analysis of the mean velocity maps and of the time series, the ground deformation over a vast sector of the Po Plain (between Piacenza and Sassuolo) has been observed. The time series of six GPS stations validated the results of the PSInSAR technique, showing a good correlation with the PS time series. The PS analysis reveals an important subsidence area (encompassing Reggio Emilia, Correggio and Rubiera), which approximately coincides with a large synform where the sedimentary package is thicker. Anthropogenic causes, as the exploitation of water resources, provide a major contribution to this subsidence. Interestingly, the PS velocity pattern locally shows some ground uplift likely associated to active thrust-related anticlines. PSInSAR has confirmed to be effective in detecting surface deformation of wide regions involved in low tectonic movements.
Ground deformation of the Po-Plain detected through satellite radar interferometry (PSInSAR)
ANTONIELLI, BENEDETTA;
2015-01-01
Abstract
This work aims to explore the recent tectonic activity of structures in the outermost sector of the Northern Apennines comprising the structures buried below the Po Plain up to the Pede-Apennine thrust front. This area represents the active leading-edge of the thrust belt and is dominated by compressive deformation, as shown by the fault plane solutions of earthquakes, in agreement with geological data (Boccaletti et al., 2004; Basili et al., 2008; Fantoni & Franciosi, 2010). In addition to the scattered distribution of seismicity, other factors make the understanding of the seismo-tectonic setting very complex, such as the large thickness of sediments in the Po Plain, and the strong impact of human activity on this area, which may cause significant vertical ground motion. We have applied the PSInSAR method to obtain new insights into the present-day deformation pattern of the frontal area of the Northern Apennines. Persistent Scatterers Interferometry (PSInSAR) is suitable for high-resolution assessment of surface deformations (submillimeter precision) over a long period of observation using numerous radar images. We used 54 ENVISAT images collected between 2004 and 2010. Thanks to the analysis of the mean velocity maps and of the time series, the ground deformation over a vast sector of the Po Plain (between Piacenza and Sassuolo) has been observed. The time series of six GPS stations validated the results of the PSInSAR technique, showing a good correlation with the PS time series. The PS analysis reveals an important subsidence area (encompassing Reggio Emilia, Correggio and Rubiera), which approximately coincides with a large synform where the sedimentary package is thicker. Anthropogenic causes, as the exploitation of water resources, provide a major contribution to this subsidence. Interestingly, the PS velocity pattern locally shows some ground uplift likely associated to active thrust-related anticlines. PSInSAR has confirmed to be effective in detecting surface deformation of wide regions involved in low tectonic movements.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
