InSAR Time series Analysis of Interseismic deformation of Eastern part of Iran

The arid and semi-arid climate with a low rainfall along with the population growth has been lead to overexertion from groundwater resources over recent two decades in Iran. This over-extraction has been led to the significant groundwater depletion and water level decline in most parts of Iran as well as to the significant land subsidence in many aquifers throughout Iran. In this study, we investigated the subsidence occurred over the Jafarabad and Qanavat in Qom plain using the radar interferometry technique in conjunction with hydrogeological measurements. We used ENVISAT ASAR images from 2003 to 2010, in descending orbits to produce interferograms. Once all interferograms are corrected from topographic and flatten phase, we obtain the mean velocity map of the Qom plain region based on SBAS time series analysis method. The mean velocity map reveals 35 and 28 mm/yr of going away deformation in the line of sight direction in Jafarabad plain and Qanvat plain, respectively. Zoning map of subsidence resulted from the InSAR analysis in conjunction with the water level measurements and the thickness of fine-grained sediments (clay and silt) across the aquifers indicated that the maximum subsidence occurred in the places that not only have a higher water level decline but also have the thicker thicknesses of fine-grained sediments. This work clearly highlights the influences of mismanagement of water resources and over-extraction of groundwater in the arid areas.