Search Results (131)

Surface rock movement can lead to geological or environmental problems such as surface subsidence, ground fissure development, and deformation of engineering structures, and its evolution process exhibits significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity. Therefore, conducting high-precision, spatiotemporally continuous monitoring of surface deformation is of great significance for revealing subsidence mechanisms, assessing potential risks, and guiding disaster reduction decisions. GNSS and InSAR have become mainstream methods for monitoring surface deformation, but they still have limitations in terms of spatial sparsity, 3D deformation inversion capability, and data gaps in areas of strong deformation. To address these issues, this paper takes the Jinchuan copper-nickel mine’s No. 2 mining area as the research object and comprehensively utilizes multi-source monitoring data from GNSS and InSAR to construct a joint inversion model of the surface 3D deformation field based on posterior variance component estimation, achieving adaptive optimization of weight allocation and collaborative solution of 3D deformation. To address the issue of InSAR decorrelation in areas of strong deformation, which leads to missing deformation information, a fitting and estimation approach was applied to supplement six decorrelated points that spatially coincide with GNSS stations. These points are located in key deformation areas, and their reconstruction effectively improves the completeness and reliability of the deformation field in critical regions. Based on this, an automated solution process for the fusion model is implemented using MATLAB R2022b, and the joint inversion yields spatiotemporally continuous 3D deformation fields in the northward, eastward, and vertical directions. The results show that compared with traditional monitoring methods, the proposed fusion model exhibits higher inversion accuracy and stability under different InSAR technology conditions, effectively suppressing the impact of single data source errors on the overall solution results. Among them, SBAS-InSAR shows slightly higher accuracy in the vertical direction, while PS-InSAR achieves higher accuracy in the planar direction, as indicated by lower RMSE and MAE values. The research results improve the accuracy and reliability of surface deformation monitoring in mining areas, providing important technical support for safe mining and refined management. Full article

Surface deformation is characterized by long-term accumulation and significant spatial differences, commonly inducing ground fissures and structural damage to roads and buildings, and in severe cases, causing collapses and other accidents that directly threaten human life. Reliable deformation monitoring and prediction are of great significance for early warning and infrastructure safety. Synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR) technology can be used to acquire high-spatiotemporal-resolution temporal observations of surface deformation over a large area, but research on surface deformation prediction using InSAR temporal images is still relatively limited. Therefore, in this study, we used Sentinel-1 temporal imagery as the data foundation. Firstly, small baseline subset (SBAS)-InSAR inversion was used to obtain the line-of-sight-oriented cumulative deformation sequence and subsidence rate results. Based on this, the causal multi-trend fusion patch-to-point (CMTF-P2P) surface deformation prediction framework was developed. This framework effectively separates the long-term trends and short-term fluctuations in the deformation sequence through causal decomposition; introduces external drivers such as rainfall and event phase characteristics to enhance the temporal expression; and utilizes patch-to-point fusion of neighborhood spatial information to improve the spatial continuity and the ability to characterize local differences. Experimental results show that the method has an RMSE of 0.43 mm and an R² of 0.92, outperforming time-series deformation prediction models such as LSTM and iTransformer. Compared with traditional models that learn overall change patterns from historical time series, this paper alleviates the confusion between trends and volatility using causal STL decomposition, making the model’s expression of long-term trends and seasonal and short-term fluctuations in volatility clearer; event phase encoding enhances the model’s ability to characterize sudden disturbances and phased responses to events; the patch-to-point structure incorporates spatiotemporal information within the neighborhood, enhancing the model’s ability to apply spatiotemporal information; multi-branch collaborative modeling enhances the model’s ability to characterize multi-scale temporal features; and incremental cumulative consistency constraints enhance the physical consistency of the prediction results. Full article

Vertical land motion in urban areas is a critical manifestation of groundwater, directly affecting infrastructure stability and groundwater sustainability. While land subsidence caused by groundwater extraction has been widely investigated, the opposite process—surface uplift induced by groundwater recovery—remains poorly documented or understood, particularly regarding its hydrological mechanisms and potential hazards. Here, we integrate InSAR time-series analysis of Sentinel-1 imagery (2017–2025) with groundwater well records to quantify the spatial–temporal characteristics of uplift in Xi’an, China, and to evaluate its hydrogeological drivers. Results reveal a persistent surface uplift zone south of the ancient city in Xi’an, with rates up to 20 mm/yr. The uplift correlates closely with rising groundwater levels in the shallow confined aquifer, indicating a strong coupling between aquifer recharge and surface uplift. Calculated storage coefficients and hydraulic diffusivity values highlight marked spatial variations, constrained by some ground fissures that act as both mechanical discontinuities and hydrological barriers controlling pressure diffusion. Time-series analysis further identifies the eastward propagation of subsidence-to-uplift reversal in Yuhuazhai, an urban village with groundwater injection, which is used to quantify the diffusivity coefficients. Field investigations show that rapid groundwater rebound can lead to uplift-related hazards, such as basement seepage, underscoring that surface uplift must be considered alongside subsidence in urban water management. Full article

Geological hazards induced by large-scale and high-intensity mining activities worldwide are primary drivers of regional ecological degradation and pose significant threats to human safety and property. To construct efficient monitoring systems and enhance early warning capabilities, it is essential to clarify the formation mechanisms of various hazards and the suitability of corresponding technologies. Focusing on five typical geological hazards prevalent in mining areas (surface subsidence, ground fissures, landslides, collapses, and sinkholes), this paper characterizes their specific features and monitoring requirements. It systematically analyzes the physical principles, accuracy levels, and technical advantages and limitations of ground-based, aerial, and spaceborne monitoring, as well as multi-source remote sensing data fusion and emerging technologies (e.g., distributed optical fiber, light detection and range, microseismical monitoring, and deep learning). Utilizing case studies from an open-pit coal mine in Turkey and a loess gully mining area in China, the paper evaluates the effectiveness of methods like multi-temporal InSAR and UAV photogrammetry in identifying the evolution of these hazards. The findings indicate that the technological framework for mining area monitoring is transitioning from single-method approaches to integrated systems. However, given the complex mining environment, several bottleneck challenges remain, including single data dimensions, the limited environmental adaptability of aerospace remote sensing, insufficient stability of deep monitoring equipment, and weak anti-interference capabilities under extreme operating conditions. Consequently, this paper proposes that future innovations in geological hazard monitoring in mining areas will focus on multi-platform hierarchical collaboration, the development of multi-parameter fusion early warning criteria, and the construction of digital and visual platforms. Constructing a comprehensive monitoring system characterized by multi-scale collaboration and dynamic prediction capabilities is vital for improving safety standards in mining areas and achieving coordinated development between resource exploitation and environmental protection. The findings provide a theoretical foundation for the precise prevention and control of mining hazards, as well as for land ecological restoration. Full article

The prevalence of ground fissures in deformation-affected areas has intensified, presenting serious risks to both operational safety and the local natural environment. Fissures in these disturbed terrains are typically characterized by elongated morphologies and large-scale variations, which pose substantial challenges to accurate feature extraction. To address these complexities, this paper proposes a semantic segmentation network termed MGF-UNet. In the shallow layers, we integrate multi-scale feature sensing (MFS) and grouped efficient multi-scale attention (EMA) to sharpen anisotropic textures and boundary details under high-resolution representations. For the deeper layers, a Token-Selective Context Transformer (TSCT) is designed to perform selective global modeling on high-level semantic features, effectively capturing long-range dependencies while preserving the structural integrity of elongated fissures. Meanwhile, we employ feature-wise linear modulation (FiLM) to derive pixel-wise affine parameters from shallow structures, which pre-modulate deep features and strengthen cross-level interactions. In the decoder, a Fourier transform-based adaptive feature fusion (AFF) module suppresses background noise and enhances boundary contrast, followed by cross-scale aggregation for final prediction.Benchmark tests conducted on the mining-area fissure dataset (MFD) and road-based datasets demonstrate that MGF-UNet achieves an accuracy of 78.2%, a Dice score of 81.4%, and an IoU of 68.6%, outperforming existing mainstream networks. The results confirm that MGF-UNet provides an effective solution for automatic fissure extraction in deformation-prone environments, offering significant potential for geohazard monitoring and ecological restoration. Full article

Mining-induced ground fissures in the Ordos Basin pose critical threats to coal mine safety and ecological stability. This study integrated multi-source monitoring data (improves data acquisition efficiency by 60%) with theoretical models to elucidate the dynamic response mechanism between overlying strata failure and ground fissure development. The results demonstrate that: (1) Two rock beam structural models for initial and periodic fracturing of thick, hard rock strata are established, demonstrating that both failure modes are dominated by tensile–shear mechanisms. (2) Ground fissures exhibit distinct zonal characteristics, displaying a gradient pattern of “strong disturbance in the near field and weak response in the far field.” Quantitative data support this pattern: average fissure density is 36/hm², with a maximum of 45/hm² recorded in the immediate vicinity of the working face, declining steadily outward. (3) Overlying strata failure forms three distinct zones—caving zone (42 m), fissure zone (158 m), and longitudinal penetrating zone—reflecting the heterogeneous fracture characteristics of medium-hard rock strata under mining influence. (3) The proposed “virtual main arch—virtual auxiliary arch” equivalent support system theory elucidates the mechanistic differences between step fissures (attributed to local support system instability) and collapse fissures (driven by global support system instability) from a mechanical perspective. The developed chain response theory fills a critical theoretical gap and provides a novel method for predicting and preventing geological disasters in mining areas. Full article

The lack of high-precision imaging data for lunar volcanic regions currently hinders the detailed characterization of lava tube systems and their associated fine-scale geomorphology. To address this information deficit, this study establishes the Jingpo Lake Volcanic Field (JLVF) in Northeast China as a primary terrestrial analog for the lunar Marius Hills complex. We systematically characterize the basaltic morphometric continuum, tracing the geological evolution from proximal scoria cones through medial lava tube skylights to distal lava plateaus. Focusing on the subsurface transport system, we identify a linear chain of discontinuous skylights that structurally mirrors the “proto-rille” stage of lunar sinuous rilles. Quantitative morphometry reveals that these terrestrial vents reproduce the geometric duality of lunar pits, ranging from stable “deep shafts” to degraded “funnel pits,” effectively validating the mechanical diversity of the lunar inventory. Critically, the “U-to-V” cross-sectional transition observed in JLVF collapse trenches serves as diagnostic ground-truth evidence, confirming that lunar rilles originate from the catastrophic roof failure of subsurface tubes rather than purely thermal erosion. Regarding the lava plateau, our field investigation resolves sub-meter micro-textures—including laminar pahoehoe ropes and inflation fissures—that are typically obscured by the resolution limits of current lunar orbiters. These findings suggest that the seemingly “smooth” lunar maria likely host complex, rugged micro-terrains. Therefore, comparing lunar volcanic regions with simulated volcanic fields from Earth is crucial. Analyzing potential volcanic products from angles undetectable by some lunar satellites can offer vital insights for future lunar exploration. Full article

Background: The pressure reduction range in traditional protective coal mining is often set conservatively, resulting in diminished actual pressure reduction effects near the mining boundary. Therefore, analyzing the stress and permeability evolution patterns at the mining boundary is particularly essential. Method: A three-dimensional numerical model was established according to the mining conditions of the 864 working face in T Mine to study the stress evolution, fissure development, and permeability evolution of the coal and rock mass overlying the protective seam mining, especially those near the mining boundary. Results: The overlying coal and surrounding rock mass near the mining boundary are in the state of increasing vertical stress and decreasing horizontal stress, and under this mechanical path of “increasing axial pressure and decreasing peripheral pressure”, the coal mass is damaged and destroyed, fissures are developed, and the permeability is increased; as a result, the coal and surrounding rock mass near the mining boundary mainly produce vertical longitudinal fissures, and the permeability can be increased 900 times compared with that of the overlying coal and surrounding rock mass in the mining boundary. After ground drilling and enhanced depressurization, the measured maximum gas content of the coal mass at the strike boundary is 3.25 m³/t, and the measured maximum gas content of the coal mass at the inclination boundary is 2.63 m³/t. Conclusions: After mining the protective layer, the permeability enhancement effect diminishes from the center toward the sides, yet remains sufficient to eliminate the risk of gas outbursts. This validates the importance of verifying permeability enhancement effects at coal seam boundaries. Full article

To reveal the real deformation behavior and control mechanism of surrounding rock in hard rock drifts under deep high-stress conditions, a systematic study was conducted involving engineering geological investigation, in situ monitoring of surrounding rock microstrain, and numerical simulation, taking the −1465 m deep main drift of Shaling Gold Mine as the engineering background. Joint and fissure characteristics of the surrounding rock were acquired via the traverse method, and dominant joint sets were identified to evaluate rock mass integrity, providing a geological basis for deformation analysis. On this premise, vibrating wire microstrain sensors were employed to continuously monitor the time-dependent deformation of surrounding rock at different depths in the drift roof and two sidewalls. The strain evolution law of deep hard rock surrounding rock under the combined action of excavation disturbance and high ground stress was systematically analyzed. The results demonstrate that the surrounding rock is dominated by compressive strain in the early stage after excavation, which gradually transforms into tensile strain over time, exhibiting distinct time-dependent deformation characteristics. The deformation magnitude of the surrounding rock decreases significantly with increasing distance from the drift exposure surface, and the overall deformation amplitude of the roof is greater than that of the two sidewalls. Integrating the monitoring results with the surrounding rock structural characteristics, a combined support scheme of “resin rock bolt + wire mesh + shotcrete” was proposed, and its control effect was verified using RS2 numerical simulation. The simulation results indicate that this support system can effectively constrain the near-surface surrounding rock deformation, reduce the degree of stress concentration, and significantly improve drift stability. The research findings provide engineering references for understanding the surrounding rock deformation and optimizing support parameters of deep hard rock drifts in metal mines. Full article

The Linfen–Yuncheng Basin is located on the southern edge of the Fenwei Fault Zone, influenced by intense tectonic activity, thick Quaternary sedimentation, and anthropogenic disturbance, it exhibits prominent characteristics of ground subsidence and fissure development. However, uncertainties still exist regarding the primary controlling factors of subsidence. This study employs multi-temporal InSAR data, combined with small baseline subset (SBAS–InSAR) technology to invert the high-precision ground line of sight deformation fields, and conducts time-series decomposition analysis using the Seasonal Trend Decomposition (STL) method. The results show that from 2017 to 2025, subsidence was mainly concentrated in the central and southern regions of the basin, with a maximum cumulative subsidence exceeding 200 mm and an average annual subsidence rate of −40 mm/year. Its spatial distribution is highly consistent with major structural zones such as the Zhongtiao Mountain Front Fault and the Linyi Fault, indicating that fault activity exerts a significant controlling effect on subsidence patterns. Groundwater level fluctuations are positively correlated with overall ground subsidence, and the response rate of different monitoring points is constrained by differences in aquifer depth and permeability. Groundwater aquifer points exhibit rapid and reversible subsidence response, while confined aquifer points are affected by low-permeability or compressible layers, showing a significant lag effect. The research results indicate that time-series analysis based on InSAR can not only effectively reveal the subsidence evolution process at different scales, but also provide a scientific basis for groundwater resource regulation, geological disaster prevention and control, and sustainable regional land utilization. Full article

Ground fissures are widespread around the world and are particularly severe in the North China Plain. In order to investigate the crack propagation path and propagation mode of buried ground fissures from deep strata to the surface, physical simulation experiments and numerical simulation experiments were conducted based on the sand–clay interlayer strata in the Longyao area. The results show that during the settlement of the hanging wall strata, the propagation path of the cracks changes due to differences in soil properties. The crack propagation is interrupted in the sand layer and slowed down in the clay layer. The surface displacement is characterized by an alternating sequence of gradual and rapid growth phases. The process of crack propagation from depth to surface is divided into five stages, forming tensile cracks and causing the differential settlement of the surface. The strata are mainly under tensile stress, with the stress range of the hanging wall being 2.1 to 3.0 times that of the footwall. Under identical experimental conditions, buried ground fissures in the strata of sand–clay interlayers exhibit anti-dip crack propagation angles and surface deformation zone widths that are between those of homogeneous silty clay and sand. Based on the experimental results, an analytical formula for the hanging wall deformation zone was further proposed. The research results can provide an important reference and theoretical basis for the investigation and disaster prevention of buried ground fissures in the Longyao area of Hebei Province. Full article

The formation of fractures in urban areas is typically related to construction processes, natural ground settlement, and material quality. In valleys, the distribution of ground fissures is associated with aquifer overexploitation and basement faulting. However, where the soil layer is only a few meters thick or absent, the influence of basement structures remains poorly understood. We hypothesize that urban fractures develop parallel to major basement faults. To test this, we applied a simple structural geology technique to systematically measure extension axes, from street fractures, throughout the town of Las Pilas. These axis orientations were then compared with those calculated for normal faults of Las Pilas Complex. Street fractures are generally about 1 cm thick, with lengths ranging from 0.51 to 1 m and occasionally reaching up to 3 m. They occur within streets 2 to 4 m wide, typically appearing as a single fracture within a 1–2 m wide fracture zone. Based on these characteristics, the fractures do not represent a significant hazard. Measurement results indicate that urban fractures primarily extend in an NE-SW direction. This is consistent with the orientation of the minimum principal stress axis (3) of the regional San Luis-Tepehuanes fault system, thereby supporting our hypothesis. Full article

The 17 November 2023 M_W 6.8 earthquake located offshore of Southern Mindanao, Philippines, triggered soil liquefaction along the lowlands of the Sarangani Peninsula. Detailed mapping, geomorphological interpretations, geophysical surveys, comparison with predictive models, and grain size analysis were conducted to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the earthquake parameters and subsurface conditions that permitted liquefaction. Soil liquefaction manifested as sediment and water vents, fissures, lateral spreads, and ground deformation, mainly along landforms with shallow groundwater levels such as river deltas, fills, floodplains, and beaches. In populated areas, ground failure due to liquefaction also damaged some buildings. All these impacts fall within the boundaries of the available liquefaction hazard maps for Sarangani Peninsula and the predictive empirical equations generated by various authors. Simulated peak ground acceleration values also indicate that sufficient ground shaking was generated for the soil to liquefy. Refraction microtremor (ReMi) surveys reveal shear wave velocities ranging from 121 to 215 m/s, which infer the presence of soft and stiff soils beneath the surface, promoting the sites’ potential to liquefy. Grain size analyses of sediment ejecta confirm the presence of these liquefiable sediments from the subsurface, with grain sizes ranging from silt to medium sand. The results of three-component microtremor (3CMt) surveys also show varying sediment thicknesses, which are consistent with the thickness of soft sediment layers inferred by ReMi surveys. The information resulting from this study may be useful for researchers, planners, and engineers for liquefaction hazard assessment and mitigation, especially in the Sarangani Peninsula. Full article

In recent years, coal mining has shifted from surface to underground multi-seam and multi-panel operations, leading to enhanced ground deformation and elevated risks of secondary geo-hazards. However, the deformation mechanisms and spatiotemporal evolution of mining-induced ground movement in high-intensity repeated mining areas require further investigation. To gain further insight, this study focuses on elucidating the deformation mechanisms and hazard-chain evolution induced by downward multi-seam and multi-panel mining in the Hongyan coal mine, located in the loess gully region. An integrated InSAR-based multi-source monitoring and modeling framework was adopted, systematically combining InSAR, historical satellite imagery, UAV-based surveys, and ground observations with numerical simulations to characterize the spatiotemporal evolution of mining-induced deformation and examine the coupling processes within the hazard chain. The monitoring results show a strong spatiotemporal correlation between mining activities and ground deformation: subsidence basins and temporal variations correspond closely to the mining sequence, and the spatial distribution of fissures aligns with the advancing working faces. The analysis indicates mining-induced stress redistribution and stratum instability are the root causes of subsidence. Subsidence characteristics are affected by topography, mining sequence, and the cumulative impacts of multi-seam mining, leading to stepwise subsidence and subsidence basins. The overlying loess’s topography and characteristics affect the subsidence distribution. The “stress arch” formed in the goaf evolves with the multi-panel mining process, gradually collapsing during continuous mining and leading to stratum instability. Initially spreading stress and preventing rock movement, the upper residual pillars aggravate stratum damage following critical stratum failure. Mining exerts spatiotemporal control over hazard development, with the hazard chain evolving upward from the mining horizon, driven by fissure propagation and subsidence as the core processes, and reinforced by a bottom-up chain reaction and feedback among successive hazards. This study provides scientific insights for the planning and hazard prevention of multi-seam mining in loess gully regions. Full article

Collapsibility is a fundamental geotechnical property of loess that critically affects its engineering behavior. In this study, a comprehensive dataset comprising 9041 experimental records on the physical properties and collapsibility of loess from the Xi’an region was compiled. Six parameters were selected as model inputs: sampling depth (H), water content (w), plastic limit (w_P), plasticity index (I_P), compression coefficient (a_1–2), and compression modulus (E_s). Based on these inputs, prediction models for the loess collapsibility coefficient (δ_s) were developed using Gaussian Process Regression (GPR), Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), Support Vector Regression (SVR), Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFNN), Classification and Regression Tree (CART), and Feature Tokenizer Transformer (FT-Transformer). Among these, GPR demonstrated the best predictive performance, achieving the lowest error (RMSE = 9.88 × 10⁻³) and the highest accuracy (R² = 0.844). Additionally, the coverage proportion of the 95% confidence interval of the GPR predictions reached 0.949. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis for GPR further revealed that the compression coefficient exerted the greatest influence on δ_s (0.0149), followed by compression modulus (0.0080), water content (0.0068), plasticity index (0.0061), sampling depth (0.0061), and plastic limit (0.0052). The GPR-based prediction model offers significantly higher predictive accuracy than empirical models. The developed models provide a robust technical framework for the rapid estimation of loess collapsibility in the Xi’an region. Full article