The evaluation of only three TerraSAR-X satellite data acquisitions recorded between July 22nd and Oct 29th, 2008, clearly documents the surface displacement in the city center of the historic City of Staufen im Breisgau in Southern Germany. Whether these particular displacements are indirect impacts of boreholes drilled for the purpose of exploiting geothermal energy in 2007, or may have been caused by other sources remains an issue of dispute between experts. Damages to buildings, including the newly renovated historic city hall, are becoming more and more obvious and possible countermeasures are being reviewed.

Infoterra's experts performed a radarinterferometric processing of three TerraSAR-X StripMap scenes (30x50 sqkm, processed to 4m ground resolution), clearly depicting the movements. Identical results were obtained by the radar scientists at the DLR's Remote Sensing Technology Institute, proving the validity of method and outcome.

View map in the image gallery

This detailed evaluation of the rather small uplift area (approximately 100 m in diameter) and the fact that even displacements in the magnitude of some millimeters could be documented proves the excellent suitability of high-resolution TerraSAR-X radar data for such kind of applications. Infoterra will continue to document the developments in Staufen, possibly being able to offer support in assessing the effectiveness of upcoming countermeasures.