Monitoring of displacements with ground-based microwave interferometry: IBIS-S and IBIS-L

One fundamental component of early warning systems for natural hazards is displacement monitoring. Spaceborne SAR Interferometry has proven to be a powerful remote sensing tool for this task. Lately new ground-based SAR instruments are available. Their application field is wide and they combine high resolution and accuracy with the classical benefits of remote sensing techniques. Here, the principles of the microwave interferometer IBIS are presented, as well as its advantages and disadvantages compared to common monitoring techniques. IBIS can be operated in two modes: IBIS-S is a microwave interferometer capable of high frequency displacement monitoring of buildings and structures (up to 200 Hz); IBIS-L is a ground-based SAR for long-term displacement monitoring of buildings and natural phenomena as landslides, glaciers, etc. Exemplary three applications are presented: the use of IBIS-S for dynamic monitoring of a chimney; the use of IBIS-L for displacement monitoring in an active quarry and the long-term operation of IBIS-L as part of a "Volcano Fast Response System'' (VFRS) on an active volcano.