Impact case study database

Over the last decade, Leeds researchers have helped develop satellite radar interferometry (InSAR) from a niche research tool to a robust and reliable data stream. This has driven multiple benefits.

Informing European Space Agency acquisition strategy

Having demonstrated the potential for mapping tectonic deformation using InSAR [1], Wright coordinated the recommendations of the international scientific community [A], which guided and informed ESA in setting their specific acquisition strategy over tectonic areas for Sentinel-1 in 2014 [B]. The Sentinel-1 Mission Manager (ESA) states : “Your research demonstrated the potential of InSAR for assisting in all phases of geohazard management... As a result of your work, we were able to define a tectonic zone mask, and made the decision to acquire both ascending and descending data in tectonic areas...your ongoing guidance has helped us plan extra Sentinel-1 acquisitions to support scientists and civil defence organisations worldwide as they respond to major earthquakes and eruptions.” [B])

Exploiting Sentinel-1 in response to volcanic and seismic events

Leeds researchers routinely provide ground movement information (data and models) to civil protection authorities worldwide during volcanic crises and following major earthquake events. Increasingly, these data are being used worldwide for long-term monitoring. For example, our data [C] contribute to international efforts to integrate InSAR into global volcano monitoring (including the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites Volcano Demonstrator, co-led at Leeds). To demonstrate our global reach, we focus on three examples from Iceland, New Zealand and Ecuador.

Iceland suffers from regular volcanic crises, which have the potential to cause major local and international disruption, as was seen in the Ejyafjalljökull eruption of 2010, when the lengthy closure of trans-Atlantic airspace cost the aviation industry alone more than USD1.7billion (IATA, 2010). Leeds researchers have provided rapid analysis of InSAR results (within a few hours of satellite data acquisition) and software tools to inform the national-level responses of the Icelandic Civil Protection and the update of aviation colour codes, during events at Bárðarbunga (2014/15) and the Reykjanes Peninsula (2020) [D, E]. The Nordic Volcanological Center state: *“Results from University of Leeds were regularly presented at meetings of the science committee of the Icelandic Civil Protection, and as such formed the basis for effective societal response to the events” [D]. Regarding the 2020 activity, the Iceland Meteorological Office state: “Professor Andrew Hooper assisted by generating preliminary deformation models to determine the likely cause of the unrest, the geometry and location of the intruded magma body and the rate of magma inflow [...which] supported the initial decision to raise the aviation color code at this volcano to yellow on the 26th January 2020” [E] . They continue, “The GBIS software [4] has proved to be a robust and efficient tool for generating rapid volcanic deformation models in near-real time during volcanic crises, which is essential for facilitating informed decisions regarding the potential threat of volcanic hazards” [E].

In New Zealand, Leeds researchers supported the response to the 2016 Kaikōura Earthquake, the largest in New Zealand since 1855. The response was coordinated by the national team at GNS Science who state “The rapid response tools developed by your team enabled the delivery of InSAR data products to GNS within just a few hours of the first satellite overpass, which were vital in supporting the response to the earthquake. These data...helped guide our teams in the field and...supported the national civil defence recovery efforts.” [F]. The new understanding of fault processes from the collaborative research “ has strongly informed our approach to revising the New Zealand National Seismic Hazard Model […and] was also used to update the New Zealand National Coordinate System.” In addition, GNS installed the Leeds LiCSAR system [3] in early 2020 with a c.NZD 60,000 investment “to help monitor deformation across the whole of New Zealand.” [F].

In Ecuador, the Instituto Geofísico of the Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IGEPN) is responsible for monitoring geophysical hazards and providing up-to-date information to national civil defence. They have worked closely with COMET scientists at the University of Leeds. In March 2017, Leeds provided rapid data processing and modelling during a major volcanic crisis at Cerro Azul in the Galápagos, within 10 hours of the request. IGEPN state “ Deformation measurements and modelling results provided by […] Leeds contributed to our assessment that unrest was not likely to result in an imminent eruption, and was incorporated into our hazard bulletins.” [G]. IGEPN is now using InSAR tools developed in Leeds to monitor volcanoes across Ecuador, which they state: “...is a significant help to us for monitoring the 20 of our 40 potentially active volcanoes without any ground-based monitoring,” and “At the present time (September – December 2020) we are monitoring a developing situation at Sangay volcano in which the rate of vertical uplift in the summit area is increasing week by week […] automatic processing systems such as LICSBAS, developed in Leeds, have helped us to efficiently monitor the ongoing situation.” [G].

Commercial applications of Sentinel-1

The development of large-scale processing algorithms by Leeds researchers, with improved speed of delivery, accuracy and measurement coverage provided the underpinning technology for Leeds spinout company SatSense Ltd. SatSense produces a high-resolution deformation product for the entire UK from Sentinel-1 data, which is updated within a few hours of each satellite overpass [H]. Data are used by commercial clients in sectors including property conveyancing, geotechnical services, energy, and civil engineering.

SatSense started operating in the first quarter of 2018 when they received investment, including GBP500,000 from Unipart Rail and the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (administered by Mercia Fund Managers). The company received an additional external investment of GBP500,000 from Mercia/NPIF in Q1 2020. SatSense has created 4 full-time positions, as well as a part-time chair and financial director. Turnover was [text removed for publication] in 2020, and is growing rapidly [I].

The SatSense CEO states: *“The algorithms developed at the University of Leeds have enabled SatSense to build a unique team and product that is highly valued by our customers in several sectors” [I]. Customers using SatSense data include Groundsure [J], who are the largest provider of property assessment reports to house buyers; in Q4 2020, SatSense data was used in [text removed for publication] [K]. VP Operations for Groundsure states that: “SatSense data provide incredibly detailed and reliable satellite-derived deformation analysis in our latest, premium subsidence reports. The data give us a cutting edge over our competitors” [K]. Network Rail, who operate 32,000 km of rail track in the UK, have used SatSense data to investigate ground stability issues that can impact on their network. [text removed for publication]