The Rising Ground Beneath Our Feet: Understanding Urban Uplift with Satellite Data
Consumer Data Research Centre
Promoting the use of consumer data and research to provide insight into societal and economic challenges (ESRC funded)
In an era where urbanisation is rapidly transforming our landscapes, understanding the geological implications of these changes is crucial. A 2018 study has utilised Sentinel-1 data to detect and characterise uplift phenomena in urban areas.
Understanding urban uplift using Sentinel-1 data:
The research focused on the Tower Hamlets Council area of London, a highly urbanised site affected by geohazards due to natural processes and human activities. Using Sentinel-1 data from 2015 to 2017, the study detected a 5 km2 area recording average uplift rates of 7 mm/year, with a maximum rate of 18 mm/year. Interestingly, the uplift rates began to decrease from August 2016.
The study suggests that the ground displacements occur in a specific geological context and are primarily attributed to the swelling of clayey soils. The detected uplift could be a transient effect of the groundwater rebound after the completion of dewatering works for recent underground constructions.
Alongside a range of geological, groundwater level and buildings databases, the Consumer Data Research Centre's building age map was utilised in this study. It provided information on the age of residential structures in the area, which helped in understanding the correlation between urban development and ground displacement.
Importance of understanding urban uplift:
Uplift phenomena can lead to environmental and engineering problems, such as springs of polluted water and damage to building foundations. In the UK, the shrinking and swelling of clay lithologies is one of the most damaging geohazards, costing the economy an estimated ￡3 billion over the past decade. Therefore, the ability to detect and quantify ground displacement at regional and local scales is a cost-effective tool that offers great value to insurance companies and government institutions.
This study showcases the potential of Sentinel-1 data in monitoring and understanding uplift phenomena in urban areas. The findings could play a pivotal role in urban planning, infrastructure development, and risk management, thereby contributing significantly to societal safety and economic stability.
While this study has opened new avenues for understanding urban uplift phenomena, further research is needed to refine the methodology and extend its application to other urban areas. The integration of satellite data with geological, geotechnical, hydrogeological, and urbanisation data holds immense promise for future geohazard studies.
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Publication: Bonì, R., Bosino, A., Meisina, C., Novellino, A., Bateson, L., & McCormack, H. (2018). A methodology to detect and characterize uplift phenomena in urban areas using Sentinel-1 data.?Remote Sensing,?10(4), 607. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/rs10040607?
CDRC Data: Dwelling Ages and Prices - https://data.cdrc.ac.uk/dataset/dwelling-ages-and-prices?
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