Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is a satellite remote sensing technique that measures ground and structural movements with millimetric precision. By comparing the phase of radar signals returned from the same location at different times, we can detect and track displacement over weeks, months, or years. The technique works day and night, in all weather conditions, and can monitor large areas simultaneously without any equipment installation on site.

Please see a summary of the InSAR technique and a glossary of key terms on our technology page.

InSAR can detect ground movements with millimetre-scale precision. Typical measurement accuracy is 1-2 mm/year for long-term velocity estimates, with individual displacement measurements accurate to a few millimetres. Accuracy depends on factors including the density of radar-reflective targets, atmospheric conditions, and the time span of analysis.

InSAR is effective for monitoring a wide range of applications including infrastructure (bridges, dams, tunnels, railways, roads), buildings and property portfolios, mining operations and tailings facilities, landslides and slopes, coastal cliffs, and ground affected by tunnelling, construction, or groundwater changes. The technique works best on hard surfaces that reflect radar signals consistently - urban areas with buildings and infrastructure typically provide excellent results.

Please see the sites and assets InSAR can monitor on our industries page.

In most cases, no. Satellite InSAR is entirely remote and requires no site access or equipment installation. For sites with limited natural radar reflectors - such as vegetated slopes or open ground - small corner reflectors can be installed to provide reliable measurement points. Our drone radar system which is currently in development also requires site access for data collection flights.

We provide four core services:

1. InSAR historical analysis to understand previous ground movement trends using satellite data archives.

2. Ongoing monitoring programmes with regular displacement updates and alerts.

3. Technical reporting and interpretation that translates InSAR data into actionable insights for asset owners and organisations.

4. Research and development partnerships with academia and industry to advance InSAR and remote sensing capabilities.

All our services are underpinned by deep geotechnical and civil engineering expertise, ensuring that measurement data is interpreted within its proper geological and engineering context.

Current satellite systems revisit the same location every 6-12 days, enabling near-continuous monitoring. We can provide updates at intervals to suit your requirements, from weekly displacement reports for active construction sites to quarterly or annual reviews for long-term asset management.

Deliverables are tailored to your requirements but typically include displacement maps showing spatial patterns of movement, time-series displacement graphs for specific locations or assets, technical reports interpreting the results in their geological and engineering context, and data files for integration with your own Geographic Information System (GIS) or asset management systems.

InSAR complements rather than replaces traditional monitoring methods. It provides wide-area coverage and historical analysis that ground surveys cannot match, while ground-based methods offer real-time data and direct measurement at specific points. We often recommend integrated approaches that combine InSAR with targeted ground instrumentation for comprehensive monitoring programmes.

We combine bespoke InSAR processing software developed in-house for full control over data quality, with decades of world-leading research experience in radar remote sensing and geotechnical engineering. Our team includes researchers who have published extensively on InSAR applications and contributed to industry guidance. We also operate one of the first drone-borne radar systems for InSAR, offering spatial resolution and operational flexibility that satellite systems cannot match.

Please see our about us page for full details of the team and our expertise.

Please contact us using our contact form, message us on LinkedIn, or email us at info@groundmonitoring.com. We'll arrange an initial conversation to understand your monitoring requirements, assess whether InSAR is suitable for your site or asset, and provide a quote tailored to your needs.

You can reach us through the contact form on this website, connect with us on LinkedIn, or email us at info@groundmonitoring.com We aim to respond to all enquiries within two working days.