Earth Subsidence Risk

Earth subsidence is a gradual or sudden sinking of the ground surface, caused by natural  processes and human activities. It poses a serious hazard to infrastructure, water resources,  agriculture, and urban development, often resulting in structural damage, flooding risk, and  long-term land degradation. 

The main drivers of subsidence include excessive groundwater extraction, mining activities, oil  and gas withdrawal, soil compaction, and natural geological processes such as karst formation.  Rapid urbanization and unsustainable land-use practices often accelerate the phenomenon,  especially in coastal megacities and agricultural regions.

Globally, subsidence affects millions of people across more than 200 major cities, with economic  damages estimated in the tens of billions of USD annually. Regions with high groundwater  dependence, such as parts of Asia, North America, and the Mediterranean, are particularly  vulnerable. Climate change and sea-level rise further compound risks by increasing the  likelihood of coastal flooding in subsiding areas. 

Effective risk reduction requires continuous monitoring, spatial modeling, and sustainable land  and water management strategies. Through satellite remote sensing (InSAR time-series, optical  change detection), gravimetric data, and geospatial modeling, we provide accurate subsidence  measurements and risk assessments. These insights support urban planning, water resource  management, and disaster preparedness, helping communities adapt to and mitigate the  long-term impacts of land subsidence.