Comparative Analysis of Land Deformation Caused by Subsidence Using Radar Time‑Series Data – Case Study: Nine Populated Cities in Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Muhammad Amin Bakhshi 1
Behnam Asghari Beirami 2
Mohammad Reza Seif 2
Mohammad Najafgholizadeh Sarai 1
Ali Sarkargar Ardakani 3
1 Geimatics Science & Technology Center, Payambar Azam Faculty, Imam Hossein University, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Surveying eng, Faculty of Civil eng, Imam Hussain University, Tehran, Iran
3 Geomatics Science & Technology Center Payambar Azam Faculty, Imam Hossein University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Subsidence is the gradual downward movement of the Earth’s surface, affecting both urban and rural areas. More than 300 locations across Iran are experiencing surface deformation and land subsidence due to natural and anthropogenic factors. This study focuses on quantifying and comparing land deformation in Iran’s major densely populated cities by classifying deformation intensity into three levels (low, moderate, and high). The aim of this research is to rank the provincial capitals based on the severity of hazardous land deformation and, consequently, identify the province with the highest subsidence risk. Using the SBAS technique, the subsidence rate in the provincial capitals of Tehran, Alborz, Razavi Khorasan, Isfahan, Khuzestan, Fars, East Azerbaijan, Kerman, and Qom was analyzed through a one‑year time‑series (from November 2024 to November 2025). The results indicate that Tehran, with a subsidence rate of 22 cm per year, ranks first in terms of subsidence risk. In the remaining cities—Isfahan, Karaj, Kerman, Mashhad, Tabriz, Shiraz, Ahvaz, and Qom—the affected areas are also extensive, highlighting the urgent need for preventive measures.
Keywords
Subsidence
SBAS
Time series
InSAR
Crisis management
Subjects