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
Join the BGS Board
06/09/2023
BGS is looking to appoint one to two non-executive directors to join our board.
Evolving policies in the face of climate change: BGS data can help
25/08/2023
Climate change is increasingly recognised as a major challenge for organisations, with the need for adaptation driving a wave of policy updates and reforms across multiple sectors. BGS data holdings are relevant to many of these changes and the following examples outline how these data packages can be applied.
New report assesses deep geothermal energy in the UK
17/07/2023
A new BGS report assesses the current situation around and future potential of deep geothermal energy in the UK.
Mineral investigation reports released online
07/07/2023
Reports from over 260 mineral exploration projects are now freely available on BGS’s GeoIndex.
Updated biosphere map for the UK released
07/07/2023
The updated biosphere map for the UK will allow users to identify sulphur isotope variations.
Scoping report on the material requirements for a UK hydrogen economy
21/06/2023
The UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre has produced a scoping report that examines the aims of the UK with regards to developing a hydrogen economy, the sustainability of these targets, given current metal loadings, and provides some suggestions for overcoming potential challenges that the UK may face in securing raw materials to support this ambition.
Scoping study on metals used in specialist alloys in the aerospace industry
21/06/2023
A recent scoping study by the UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre assesses the application, importance and supply-chain risks associated with specialist alloys used in the aerospace and defence industries.
BGS unveils #TheCommoditree at Glastonbury 2023
21/06/2023
The new installation is part of a unique touring festival stand showcasing how modern lifestyles wouldn’t be possible without rocks and minerals.
A new open dataset to benefit onshore geoscience research
15/06/2023
Data from deep onshore hydrocarbon wells is being released on an open access basis to help meet the UK’s net zero targets.
Geological Society honours BGS scientists
14/06/2023
The Geological Society has recognised the contributions of two members of BGS: director Dr Karen Hanghøj and volcanologist Dr Samantha Engwell.
NERC recognised by the Carbon Trust for its step towards net zero
07/06/2023
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has achieved the ‘taking action’ tier of the Carbon Trust’s Route to Net Zero Standard.
New report on the National Land Data Programme published
06/06/2023
The report, based on pilot projects across the UK, explains how spatial data and modelling can support better decisions on land use.