In reconstructing the flood defences, following the ravages of
Hurricane Katrina, knowledge of prevailing subsidence rates is an
important input to the design of the rehabilitated levees.
Hurricane Katrina, knowledge of prevailing subsidence rates is an
important input to the design of the rehabilitated levees.
Tele-Rilevamento Europa (TRE) specializes in satellite-borne radar remote sensing. TRE’s products are derived using the POLIMI PS TechniqueTM – a technology that detects and measures small scale surface deformation.
TRE, in cooperation with Miami University, has recently applied the PS Technique to create the first space-derived image of subsidence in New Orleans.
In reconstructing the flood defences, following the ravages of
Hurricane Katrina, knowledge of prevailing subsidence rates is an
important input to the design of the rehabilitated levees.
In reconstructing the flood defences, following the ravages of
Hurricane Katrina, knowledge of prevailing subsidence rates is an
important input to the design of the rehabilitated levees.
Levelling data have already suggested that
most of the city and the larger delta are subsiding relative to the
mean sea level, potentially leading to catastrophic flooding. This is
due both to the natural compaction of Holocene sediments and to the
localized compaction of deeper sediments from the extraction of oil,
water and natural gas. However, levelling data can be affected by local
phenomena and in situ effects. In such a situation, an independent
technique featuring high spatial density of measurements points is
therefore valuable. The POLIMI PS Technique™ is such a tool.
most of the city and the larger delta are subsiding relative to the
mean sea level, potentially leading to catastrophic flooding. This is
due both to the natural compaction of Holocene sediments and to the
localized compaction of deeper sediments from the extraction of oil,
water and natural gas. However, levelling data can be affected by local
phenomena and in situ effects. In such a situation, an independent
technique featuring high spatial density of measurements points is
therefore valuable. The POLIMI PS Technique™ is such a tool.
On behalf of the University of Miami, TRE
processed 33 radar scenes acquired by Canada’s Radarsat satellite
between April 2002 and July 2005, using the PS Technique™. The study
area was approximately 1,500 km2, around greater New Orleans, where
urbanization provides a good distribution of radar targets. Also, a ten
year record from a high precision GPS station in the greater New
Orleans area provided a control reference to calibrate the PS results.
processed 33 radar scenes acquired by Canada’s Radarsat satellite
between April 2002 and July 2005, using the PS Technique™. The study
area was approximately 1,500 km2, around greater New Orleans, where
urbanization provides a good distribution of radar targets. Also, a ten
year record from a high precision GPS station in the greater New
Orleans area provided a control reference to calibrate the PS results.
The results of the analysis will be published in a joint paper written by TRE and the University of Miami.
About TRE
Milan-based Tele Rilevamento Europa, TRE,
is the first spin-off company of the Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI)
University. It was conceived to deliver the PS Technique – patented by
POLIMI in 1999 – to public and private sector customers.
The PS Technique is a unique tool that detects, measures and monitors
different geophysical phenomena (e.g. subsidence, uplift, landslides,
seismic faults, etc.). It also monitors the stability of individual
structures.
is the first spin-off company of the Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI)
University. It was conceived to deliver the PS Technique – patented by
POLIMI in 1999 – to public and private sector customers.
The PS Technique is a unique tool that detects, measures and monitors
different geophysical phenomena (e.g. subsidence, uplift, landslides,
seismic faults, etc.). It also monitors the stability of individual
structures.
TRE complements its commercial activities
by extending the academic research of POLIMI in PS technology into
applied research and development of new service products.
by extending the academic research of POLIMI in PS technology into
applied research and development of new service products.
For more information contact:
Alessandro Ferretti
Managing Director
+39 02 4343121
alessandro.ferretti@treuropa.com
(Credits TRE)