Persistent Scatterer Interferometry Processing of COSMO-SkyMed StripMap HIMAGE Time Series to Depict Deformation of the Historic Centre of Rome, Italy

Remote Sensing

Francesca Cigna²  Rosa Lasaponara⁵  Nicola Masini¹  Pietro Milillo⁴  Deodato Tapete⁵  Richard Gloaguen³ 

[1] Institute for Archaeological and Monumental Heritage (IBAM), National Research Council (CNR), c/da S.Loja, Tito Scalo, 85050 Potenza, Italy; E-Mail:;British Geological Survey (BGS), Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Nicker Hill, Keyworth, NG12 5GG Nottingham, UK; E-Mail:;British Geological Survey (BGS), Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Nicker Hill, Keyworth, NG12 5GG Nottingham, UK; E-Mail;School of Engineering, University of Basilicata, Via Nazario Sauro 85, 85100 Potenza, Italy; E-Mail:;Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis (IMAA), National Research Council (CNR), c/da S.Loja, Tito Scalo, 85050 Potenza, Italy; E-Mail:

关键词: synthetic aperture radar;    persistent scatterer interferometry;    COSMO-SkyMed;    deformation monitoring;    subsidence;    Rome;    cultural heritage;   

DOI  :  10.3390/rs61212593

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

We processed X-band COSMO-SkyMed 3-m resolution StripMap HIMAGE time series (March 2011–June 2013) with the Stanford Method for Persistent Scatterers (StaMPS), to retrieve an updated picture of the condition and structural health of the historic centre of Rome, Italy, and neighbouring quarters. Taking advantage of an average target density of over 2800 PS/km², we analysed the spatial distribution of more than 310,000 radar targets against: (1) land cover; (2) the location of archaeological ruins and restoration activities; and (3) the size, orientation and morphology of historical buildings. Radar interpretation was addressed from the perspective of conservators, and the deformation estimates were correlated to local geohazards and triggering factors of structural collapse. In the context of overall stability, deformation was identified at the single-monument scale, e.g., for the Roman cistern and exedra in the Oppian Hill. Comparative assessment against InSAR processing of C-band imagery (1992–2010) published in the literature confirms the persistence of ground motions affecting monuments and subsidence in southern residential quarters adjacent to the Tiber River, due to the consolidation of compressible deposits. Vertical velocity estimated from COSMO-SkyMed PS exceeds −7.0 mm/y in areas of recent urbanization.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.