Faculty of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Tehran , rezajahanshahi@ut.ac.ir
Abstract: (194 Views)
This study aims to monitor and distinguish the origin of ground surface elevation changes in the Gol-e-Gohar mining area using a time-series analysis of 16 Sentinel-1 SAR images acquired between 2017 and 2025, applying the SBAS-InSAR technique. The results reveal that the highest magnitude of surface lowering occurs within mining pit areas, with rates exceeding 300 mm/year, primarily driven by excavation activities, artificial topographic modifications, and mechanical processes, and therefore not representative of true aquifer-related subsidence. In contrast, regional and continuous land subsidence is observed in the Chah-Deraz Plain, with an average rate of approximately 10 mm/year, and in the agricultural lands east of the Sirjan salt flat, with an average rate of about 7 mm/year. These lower but spatially coherent subsidence patterns are consistent with long-term groundwater level decline. The Sirjan salt flat exhibits complex surface deformation behavior influenced by processes such as evaporite dissolution and moisture variations, which may produce signals similar to subsidence. The findings demonstrate that failure to differentiate mining-induced deformation from hydrogeological subsidence may lead to significant overestimation of subsidence hazards. This study highlights the necessity of a source-based, differentiated interpretation framework for accurate hazard assessment, sustainable groundwater management, and informed decision-making in mining regions.
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