InSAR Svalbard uses radar measurements from satellites to map how the ground on Svalbard moves over time. The service provides an important data foundation for monitoring natural hazards, infrastructure, and environmental changes in an Arctic climate.
The map is a collaboration between the Geological Survey of Norway (NGU) and NORCE Research AS, with financial support from the Norwegian Space Agency. The map was launched on Svalbard on 4 February.
What can InSAR Svalbard be used for?
Climate changes in the Arctic lead to rapid environmental changes. These are studied and monitored by various scientific disciplines and management agencies:
Operational management: InSAR Svalbard can assist national agencies and local authorities with risk assessments, spatial planning, and monitoring of inhabited areas and critical infrastructure. Climate change in Svalbard leads to increased avalanche activity. At the same time, infrastructure and invaluable cultural monuments are sensitive to changes in the permafrost that affect the stability and bearing capacity of the ground.
Research (polar and climate science): InSAR Svalbard can become an invaluable resource for Norwegian and international institutions engaged in issues concerning the effects of climate change. Svalbard is ideal for observing permafrost processes; seasonal subsidence in the summer and heave in the winter, and slope processes driven by thawing, freezing, and gravity. At the same time, a warmer climate causes the seasonally thawing active layer of permafrost to become thicker and can lead to long-term settling. All these variables can be used as indicators of climate change.
Contribute to the development of InSAR Svalbard
To make InSAR Svalbard as useful as possible, we invite all future users to help define the upcoming Ground Motion Service. Read more about user requirements, technical considerations, and the product development plan on NORCE's website.
So far, we have received valuable input from, among others, the Governor of Svalbard, Longyearbyen Community Council, Store Norske Spitsbergen Kulkompani, Avinor, The Norwegian Polar Institute(NPI), Norwegian Meteorological Institute (MET), The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), The Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), and SINTEF.
Would you like to join the reference group and help enhance and improve InSAR Svalbard products? Contact Marie Bredal or Line Rouyet for more information about the project and access to pilot products.
