A growing structure near the deformation front in SW Taiwan as deduced from SAR interferometry and geodetic observation

Abstract

We apply the D-InSAR technique to monitor the active growing structure on the Tainan Tableland near the deformation front in SW Taiwan using ERS SAR images in the period of 1996 - 2000. Interferometric processing of six SAR images reveals the average slant range displacement (SRD) to be similar to 12.5 mm/yr, and it increases from the west edge of the Tainan Tableland and decreases across the Houchiali fault. The GPS campaign data indicate an average horizontal movement of 12 +/- 4 mm/yr in the direction of N44 degrees W for the Tainan Tableland with respect to the western coastline. Five precise leveling surveys across the Tainan Tableland over two years show an uplift rate of similar to 14 mm/yr for the benchmarks on the Tableland. By combining the horizontal velocity of GPS data and the SRD of D-InSAR we transfer the SRD into vertical deformation and discuss the deformation pattern and seismic hazards in the Tainan area.