The map shows ground subsidence at the Jade-Weser port, which was newly created 2008-2010 by sand filling, as well as the subsidence at the undergrown caverns used for storing crude oil.
An interferometry processor developed at EOC, IWAP, computes high-precision ground motion maps. By analysing time series covering a number of years and correcting for the influence of the atmosphere, the movement of Earth’s surface can be determined with millimetre accuracy. The DLR processor has already been used for the ground motion maps of the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) and has now been licensed for the new European Ground Motion Service (EGMS).
The Ground Motion Services made possible with the processor visualise ground motion caused by groundwater regulation, mining, and underground cavern storage, as well as smaller-scale effects like slope collapse, tectonic movement, and pressure changes in volcanoes.
Data from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 A and B satellite programmes will be used for the European service. The GAF AG company has a licence from DLR to use the IWAP processor for handling the considerable amount of data. GAF AG together with EOC is part of the ORIGINAL consortium (OpeRatIonal Ground motion INsar ALliance) under the leadership of the Italian company e-Geos. DLR provides the interferometry technology and is a science consultant for the entire project. The production chains and distribution systems will be set up in the coming months. The ground motion data generated will in future be made available free of charge to the general public by the EEA.