Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (Aug 2020)
Detection of landslide induced by large earthquake using InSAR coherence techniques – Northwest Zagros, Iran
Abstract
The Iran earthquake of November 12, 2017 is one of the most significant earthquakes throughout the history of Iran, which shook the regions of NW Zagros Mountains, Sarpol-e Zahab Region, and Northwest of Iran with a sheer magnitude of 7.3 Mw. The earthquake triggered many succeeding landslides, causing the largest seismic landslide in Iran (Maleh-Kabood) over the past few centuries. The seismic landslide was detected using coherence change detection techniques. Nine Single Look Complex (SLC) of Sentinel-1A, B imageries were processed to build interferometric coherence products. The coherence results enabled the detection of the surface area for the Maleh-Kabood landslide caused by the Azgleh earthquake. Its instability was recognized over time. The results also indicated that the surface deformation of Maleh-Kabood landslide continued on owing to aftershocks of a size greater than 4.5 Mw following the Azgleh earthquake. The results are indicative of the robustness of the InSAR coherence technique in detecting surface deformation as well as seismic landslide studies and environmental monitoring. The results also stipulated the potential of Sentinel-1A, B C-band coherence maps as suitable tool for the detection of active landslides.
