Multitemporal landslides inventory map updating using spaceborne SAR analysis

Deep seated gravitational slope deformation and slow moving landslides on large areas were analyzed by spaceborne SAR interferometry: a test site in the Italian Alps of about 300 km2 was selected for updating pre-existing landslide inventory maps based on the advanced interferometric processing technique (A-DInSAR). SAR images from ERS-1/2 satellites (1995-2000) and from Envisat satellite (2002-2009) have been used, allowing the deferred-time analysis of past movements and the record of recent slope movements. In the multi-temporal updated landslide inventory database, the characteristics of the landslides were highlighted: geometry, state of activity, typology, monitoring systems, interventions, source of information and the updating time and actions. Furthermore, for each landslide area, the occurrence of persistent scatterers points and the statistical description of their velocities were reported. This methodology may allow the systematic updating of landslides inventory maps keeping all information on each landslide, becoming the basic tool for the realization and updating of thematic maps such as the landslide susceptibility map. © 2014 The Authors.