In alpine areas, slope instability is a phenomenon related to superficial landslides, deep-seated gravitational slope (DSGS) deformations and permafrost creep (i.e. rock glaciers). The systematic monitoring of changes over time caused by the slope movements is of high importance for a proactive management of natural hazards related to these phenomena. In particular, the observation and monitoring of permafrost creep may give new insights on the current impact of changing climate conditions.

Despite the high accuracy of ground-based measurements, such as total station and GPS, they only provide an incomplete spatial coverage and are difficult to conduct in remote or difficult-to-access areas.

The main objective of this project, financed by the Province of Bolzano through the Legge 14 programme, is to improve the monitoring of permafrost deformations, in particular rock glaciers, using SAR satellite data, which allow to measure several key parameters covering large areas with a high repetition rate.

At regional scale, only satellite data will be used, whilst at local scale these data sets will be integrated with various other data sets collected with GPS, GBSAR and UAV devices.

• The methodology and the expertise developed in this project will subsequently be applied to other types of surface deformation such as landslides.

Contact persons: Giovanni Cuozzo, Mattia Callegari, Carlo Marin

giovanni.cuozzo@eurac.edu; mattia.callegari@eurac.edu; carlo.marin@eurac.edu