Application of a cluster analysis-based methodology on InSAR data to detect ground deformations in the Po plain (Northern Italy)

The Po Plain basin in the Emilia Romagna Region (Italy) has been historically affected by strong land movements ascribed to both anthropogenic and natural sources, as well as their superposition. The paper aims to the identification, geolocation and quantification of the main land movement phe- nomena of the Region via the time-series decomposition and the clustering analysis on the vertical component of satellite DInSAR time-series. The results were interpreted on the basis of ancillary information, such as: land use maps, water production (in terms of wells positions and produced volumes) and position of underground gas storage sites. In particular, the analysis of the purely seasonal components allowed a straightforward correlation between the identified land movement phenomena and the gas storage operations or aquifer recharge/ground water productions seasonality.