Complex and realistic modeling of InSAR data

Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) techniques can map high-resolution and large-scale static and quasi-static ground displacements in millimeters to centimeters precision. Although estimation of the location of magma chambers and of slip distributions on fault planes (or opening distributions on dikes) in homogeneous, isotropic and linearly elastic half-space media can now be straightforwardly done, InSAR data often call for more complex and realistic modeling strategies than conventional ones. This paper principally reviews recent modeling studies of InSAR data that took such advanced approaches on estimating fault slip motions and magma movements. Numerical modeling methods such as finite element methods and boundary element methods can particularly be useful in complex modeling of deformation sources as well as in studying the mechanical properties of the surrounding media. Methods on appropriate noise characterization and downsampling of InSAR data, which are specifically required for InSAR data modeling, are also reviewed.