BGS data supports new tool to track geological changes in abandoned coal mines
The British Geological Survey (BGS) is part of a multi-disciplinary team led by the University of Nottingham to develop a remote monitoring tool designed to help authorities manage public safety and environmental issues in recently abandoned coal mines.
20/11/2020
BGS data supports new tool to track geological changes in abandoned coal mines
The British Geological Survey (BGS) is part of a multi-disciplinary team led by the University of Nottingham to develop a remote monitoring tool designed to help authorities manage public safety and environmental issues in recently abandoned coal mines.
The tool uses satellite radar imagery to capture millimeter-scale measurements of changes in terrain height. These measurements, when integrated with geological process models, can be used to monitor and forecast groundwater levels and changes in geological conditions deep below the earth’s surface in former mining areas. Ultimately this can help forecast where surface discharge of mine water may occur.
The study uses an advanced InSAR technique, called Intermittent Small Baseline Subset (ISBAS), developed by the University of Nottingham and Terra Motion Ltd and uses geological data provided by the BGS.
The method has been implemented over Nottinghamshire coalfields and the findings published in a paper ‘Modelling groundwater rebound in recently abandoned coalfields using DInSAR’ in the journal Remote Sensing of the Environment.
The team hopes to integrate results into an existing screening tool developed by the Environment Agency and Coal Authority to help local planning authorities, developers and consultants design sustainable drainage systems in coalfield areas, with potential to be scaled to coalfields across the UK.
The research was led by University of Nottingham PhD, David Gee and funded by the GeoEnergy Research Centre and Terra Motion Limited. ENVISAT and Sentinel-1 SAR data were provided by the European Space Agency with geological data by the British Geological Survey and hydrogeological data by the Coal Authority.
Luke Bateson and Alessandro Novellino from the BGS Earth Observation and Geodesy capability have supported the geological interpretation and modelling of the InSAR results.
Read the full story on the University of Nottingham website
You can read more about the Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technique from BGS Remote Sensing Geologist, Alessandro Novellino in ‘Mapping Ground Deformation from Space’, on the British Geological Survey blog.
Luke Bateson
Principal remote sensing geologist
Dr Alessandro Novellino
Remote sensing geoscientist
Relative topics
Related news
World Water Day 2023: groundwater photo stories
22/03/2023
A showcase of groundwater use from around the world highlighting how developing groundwater has benefited the lives of many people.
New seabed geology maps for offshore Yorkshire
14/03/2023
Offshore Yorkshire is the latest map to be released in BGS’s series of fine-scale digital seabed maps.
New BGS karst report released for Hampshire and Wiltshire
10/03/2023
The report details the evidence for karst processes in areas of soluble rocks that have not previously been considered karstic.
Dr Corinna Abesser appointed BGS Policy Director
08/03/2023
Dr Abesser will be supporting BGS staff in the translation of their science outputs to inform policy and regulation as well as advising senior management on policy-related issues.
Melinda Lewis awarded prestigious Whitaker Medal for outstanding contribution to hydrogeology
01/03/2023
Melinda Lewis, BGS Honorary Research Associate, has been awarded the Geological Society Whitaker Medal, recognising outstanding long-term contributions to hydrogeology.
BGS welcomes two new board appointments for 2023
22/02/2023
Prof Carol Frost, professor emerita of the faculty of geology and geophysics at the University of Wyoming, and Dr Jenny Pyper, former CEO of the Utility Regulator for Northern Ireland and interim head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, will take up their positions on the BGS Board from 1 March 2023.
Six BGS datasets for assessing shrink–swell subsidence hazards
17/02/2023
Shrink–swell subsidence is one of the most significant geological hazards affecting the UK. BGS has six datasets to help assess the problem.
The Kahraman Maraş earthquake sequence, Turkey/Syria
14/02/2023
Two large earthquakes occurred within hours of each other on 6 February 2023.
One year on: reflections on the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption
18/01/2023
The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai Volcano in January 2022 has highlighted a global unpreparedness for the impacts from large-scale global events.
New geological map of the Maltese Islands published
19/12/2022
The new map, commissioned by Malta’s Continental Shelf Department, is the first update for almost 30 years.
Work complete on 1000 solar panels at BGS
07/12/2022
More than 1000 energy-saving solar panels have been installed at BGS’s headquarters in Keyworth, Nottinghamshire.
Updated radon map for Great Britain published
02/12/2022
The UK Health Security Agency and BGS have published an updated radon potential map for Great Britain.