InSAR based Crustal deformation monitoring along the Kenya Rift system

Project description

The aim of this project is to characterize deformation using InSAR along the Kenyan Rift system, which is prone to both anthropogenically induced deformation and deformation associated with geophysical processes along the Rift due to volcanic activities and tectonic movements. However, InSAR-derived measurements still face challenges in tropospheric delay modelling, which hinder the retrieval of millimeter-level accuracy in InSAR-derived displacements. Therefore, the aim of this project is to provide a comprehensive overview of existing tropospheric delay correction methods, discuss current trends, and provide a future outlook for tropospheric delay modelling. The project also intends to propose an improved tropospheric InSAR correction method to improve the accuracy of InSAR-derived measurements, given the challenge of tropospheric delay along the Kenyan Rift, which is located in the tropics and has significant tropospheric variation. The InSAR-derived results based on optimized tropospheric delay modelling will be used to determine both localized and regional deformation along the Kenyan Rift and will be validated with GNSS measurements.

Project publications

• Kirui, P. K. E., Reinosch, E., Isya, N., Riedel, B., & Gerke, M. (2021). Mitigation of Atmospheric Artefacts in Multi Temporal InSAR: A Review. PFG–Journal of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Geoinformation Science, 89(3), 251-272. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41064-021-00138-z
• Kirui, P., Oiro, S., Waithaka, H., Odera, P., Riedel, B., & Gerke, M. (2022). Detection, characterization, and analysis of land subsidence in Nairobi using InSAR. Natural Hazards, 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-022-05296-w
• Kirui, P., Riedel, B., & Gerke, M. (2022). Performance of numerical weather products for InSAR tropospheric correction: a case study of a tropical region. ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, 3, 115-122. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-annals-V-3-2022-115-2022, 2022
• Kirui, P. K., Riedel, B., & Gerke, M. (2022). Multi-temporal InSAR tropospheric delay modelling using Tikhonov regularization for Sentinel-1 C-band data. ISPRS Open Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 100020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophoto.2022.100020