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Land subsidence and groundwater storage change assessment using InSAR and GRACE in the arid environment of Saudi Arabia

Author

Listed:
  • Esubalew Adem

    (King Abdulaziz University
    Arba Minch University)

  • Roman Shults

    (King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals)

  • Muhammad Ukasha

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)

  • Amro Elfeki

    (King Abdulaziz University
    Mansoura University)

  • Faisal Alqahtani

    (King Abdulaziz University
    King Abdulaziz University)

  • Mohamed Elhag

    (King Abdulaziz University
    Chinese Academy of Science
    CI-HEAM/Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania
    German University of Technology in Oman)

Abstract

Najran region in Saudi Arabia has been affected by groundwater storage decline and consequent land subsidence for a long period of time. In this study, we utilized Sentinel-1 data for ground surface mapping, to generate interferograms and coherence maps using the Looking into Continents from Space with Synthetic Aperture Radar (LiCSAR) processor to estimate land subsidence rates from 2016 to 2020. Therefore, LiCSBAS-InSAR technique allowed for the identification and study of the changes in surface deformation over a selected period. We validated the observed displacement field by processing the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) station’s time series, which spanned from 2017 to 2019. In addition, we also analyzed Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE)-based Terrestrial Water Storage Anomalies observations to estimate groundwater depletion trends in the region. The result of the study indicates the occurrence of subsidence along the valley, as observed using the Small Baseline Subset InSAR technique. The average annual subsidence rate was observed ranging from 1.1 to 5.1 mm per year between 2016 and 2020. Correspondingly, the GRACE analysis showed that groundwater storage depletes at ~ 11.2 mm per year. Moreover, this finding provides valuable information about the excessive use of groundwater for growing vegetation. NDVI analysis has shown a considerable increasing vegetation area change of approximately 34.5 km2 between 2013 and 2020 with a 0.2 threshold. Overall, the analysis reveals that the time series obtained from InSAR, GRACE, GNSS, and well data exhibits a consistent downward trend over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Esubalew Adem & Roman Shults & Muhammad Ukasha & Amro Elfeki & Faisal Alqahtani & Mohamed Elhag, 2024. "Land subsidence and groundwater storage change assessment using InSAR and GRACE in the arid environment of Saudi Arabia," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 120(14), pages 13137-13159, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:120:y:2024:i:14:d:10.1007_s11069-024-06733-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-024-06733-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jarbou Bahrawi & Hatem Ewea & Ahmed Kamis & Mohamed Elhag, 2020. "Potential flood risk due to urbanization expansion in arid environments, Saudi Arabia," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 104(1), pages 795-809, October.
    2. Matthew Rodell & Isabella Velicogna & James S. Famiglietti, 2009. "Satellite-based estimates of groundwater depletion in India," Nature, Nature, vol. 460(7258), pages 999-1002, August.
    3. Mabkhoot Alsaiari & Basil Onyekayahweh Nwafor & Maman Hermana & Al Marzouki Hassan H. M. & Mohammed Irfan, 2023. "Understanding the Mechanisms of Earth Fissuring for Hazard Mitigation in Najran, Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-22, March.
    4. Ahmed Youssef & Abdullah Sabtan & Norbert Maerz & Yasser Zabramawi, 2014. "Earth Fissures in Wadi Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 71(3), pages 2013-2027, April.
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