DETERMINATION OF EXTENT OF THE SUBSIDING AREAS IN THE CZECH PART OF UPPER SILESIAN BASIN

References: 12th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference, www.sgem.org, SGEM2012 Conference Proceedings/ ISSN 1314-2704, June 17-23, 2012, Vol. 2, 715 - 722 pp

ABSTRACT

Coal mining is carried out in the Czech part of the Upper Silesian Basin between cities
Ostrava and Karviná on the area 80 square kilometres. Mining causes changes in
landscape, especially the ground subsidence. The subsidence is located on the surface
above the mined panels reaching its maximum within the first year after start of
exploitation.

Methods of satellite radar interferometry (Interferometry SAR - InSAR) was applied for
the detection of subsidence for specific time periods. Using the differential
interferometry SAR (DInSAR) is possible to determine the extent of subsiding areas for
the processed time period (up to few months). DInSAR results for consecutive timeperiods
display the spatio-temporal evolution of the mining induced subsidence. The
ground surface movements for longtime periods was determined by the PSI (Persistent
Scatterer Interferometry) technique in built-up areas.

Results of InSAR was necessary to compare and verify with results of other
measurement techniques (levelling, GPS). In addition, the comparison of GPS (provided
by IG ASCR) and DInSAR methods helped us to improve values of subsidence and the
delimitation of the area affected by subsidence in the locality near Karviná.

The geomorphological analysis has been carried out since the summer 2011 in the
active mining area. One of the aims is to determinate and describe the subsiding areas
belonging to particular exploited panels and to describe how the boundaries of subsiding
areas are manifested in the relief. The analysis includes the study of relief changes of
undermined area from air photos and from accessible elevation data.

Keywords: Upper Silesian Basin, mining, subsidence, InSAR, GPS, geomorphological
analysis