Author(s)

M. Komac & M. Bavec

Abstract

Using a relatively new method called the PSInSAR (Permanent Scatterer Interferometry) technique, mass movements in an area that spreads over 700 km2 and lies in the Julian Alps and the foreland (north-western Slovenia) were assessed. The research area forms the eastern flank of the Alpine arch and is tectonically still active. For analytical purposes 57 images of descending orbit from satellites ERS 1 and ERS 2 were used. The time span of the acquired images was from April 1992 to December 2000. The average signal reflector (PS) density for the area was 23/km2. Altogether 16,304 permanent scatters were detected. A time series of displacements was acquired for the best 10% (1,646 PS). The results show a constant uplift of the Southern Alps and indicate that the uplift is of a higher magnitude than had been considered until now – in some cases almost five times higher. The relative uplift in relation to the reference point in the Alpine foreland ranges up to 3.35 mm per year. An uplift of this magnitude is clearly related to processes of active tectonics including coseismic phenomena. Tectonic subsidence on the other hand is difficult, or in some cases impossible to discriminate from landslides and other processes of mass wasting. Keywords: permanent scatterer, InSAR, mass movement, tectonics, Julian Alps, Slovenia.

Keywords

permanent scatterer, InSAR, mass movement, tectonics, Julian Alps,Slovenia