Earthquakes, as one of the major factors influencing surface elevation changes, can cause widespread subsidence or uplift in different regions. These changes primarily result from the displacement of tectonic plates, fault movements, pressure variations at depth, and processes related to crustal fractures. Depending on the fault type, an earthquake can lead to uplift or subsidence on both sides of the fault. Monitoring these changes is essential for crisis management, urban planning, and reducing environmental damage. Various methods are used to study surface elevation changes, each with different levels of accuracy and capability. Ground-based methods such as precise leveling, Global Positioning Systems, and terrestrial laser scanning allow for highly accurate assessments of elevation changes. In addition to these methods, remote sensing techniques enable the precise measurement of vertical surface displacements. This study aims to evaluate the potential of these data. In this research, data and imagery from the Sentinel-1 satellite have been utilized. One of the key advantages of these data is their wide coverage, high spatial accuracy, and capability to capture images under all weather and temporal conditions, making them suitable for accurately assessing earthquake-induced surface changes. This study examines the impact of the 5.6-magnitude Khoy earthquake on surface deformation using the differential radar interferometry technique. Radar images acquired before and after the earthquake were processed, and phase variations were converted into vertical surface displacements. The results of the study indicated that in some areas near the earthquake's epicenter, uplift occurred, whereas some locations farther from the epicenter experienced subsidence. The maximum recorded uplift was 0.07 meters, while the maximum recorded subsidence was -0.127 meters. These findings reveal that the pattern of surface elevation changes is not uniformly distributed.
Type of Study:
Original Research |
Subject:
Engineering Geology Received: 2025/03/1 | Accepted: 2025/12/7