InSAR-Based Assessment of Land Subsidence Induced by Coal Mining in Karaganda, Kazakhstan
Satbergenova A. Talgarbayeva D. Vilayev A. Urazaliyev A. Yelisseyeva A. Kaldybayev A. Gavruk S.
December 2025Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Geomatics
2025#5Issue 4
The objective of this study is to quantify and characterize ground deformations induced by underground coal mining in the Karaganda coal basin, Kazakhstan, in order to improve the understanding of subsidence processes and their long-term evolution. The SBAS-InSAR method was applied to Sentinel-1 (C-band) and TerraSAR-X (X-band) data from 2019–2021 to estimate the magnitude, extent, and temporal behavior of displacements over the Kostenko, Kuzembayev, Aktasskaya, and Saranskaya mines. The results reveal spatially coherent and progressive deformation, with maximum cumulative LOS displacements exceeding –800 mm in TerraSAR-X data within active longwall mining zones. Time-series analysis confirmed acceleration of displacement during active extraction and its subsequent attenuation after mining ceased. Comparative assessment demonstrated a strong agreement between Sentinel-1 and TerraSAR-X results (r = 0.9628), despite differences in resolution and acquisition geometry, highlighting the robustness of the SBAS-InSAR approach. Analysis of displacement over individual longwalls showed that several panels (3, 5, 8, 15, and 18) already exceeded their projected maximum subsidence values, underlining the necessity of continuous monitoring for ensuring safety. In contrast, other longwalls have not yet reached their maximum deformation, indicating potential for further activity. Overall, this study demonstrates the value of multi-sensor InSAR monitoring for reliable assessment of mining-induced subsidence and for supporting geotechnical risk management in post-industrial regions.
geotechnical hazards , ground subsidence , InSAR , longwall mining , surface deformation , underground coal mining
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Mine Surveying and Geodesy Department, Mining Faculty, Abylkas Saginov Karaganda Technical University, Karaganda, 100027, Kazakhstan
Cartography and Geoinformatics Department, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, 050020, Kazakhstan
Institute of Ionosphere, Almaty, 050020, Kazakhstan
Mine Surveying and Geodesy Department
Cartography and Geoinformatics Department
Institute of Ionosphere
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