International project Open SAR Library – EXPRO+ (AlignSAR)
Open SAR Library - EXPRO+ (AlignSAR) is an initiative funded by the European Space Agency.
The AlignSAR project aims to (1) define a procedure for creating benchmark SAR datasets for machine
learning applications, (2) develop a quality-controlled, documented, open database of spatial
and temporal SAR signatures for real-world objects, and (3) create a database that respects
FAIR and Open Science principles.
The AlignSAR project is led by the University of Twente in the Netherlands. The consortium also
includes: University of Leeds from the UK, AGH University of Science and Technology from Poland,
and RHEA Group from Italy.
The project began in February 2023 and is expected to end in February 2024. More information
about the project can be found at
www.alignsar.nl.
Scientific seminar of Visiting Professor Pietro Teatini
On 12th May 2022, there was a scientific seminar at the Faculty of Geo-Data Science, Geodesy,
and Environmental Engineering, during which Visiting Professor Pietro Teatini presented
a short lecture titled 'Advanced 3D continuous and discontinuous geomechanical modelling
of stress and deformation fields due to subsurface fluid withdrawal and injection'.
Pietro Teatini is a professor in Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering at the Department
of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Padova, Italy.
The main topic of the meeting was the modelling of surface movements of discontinuous
deformation caused by fluid withdrawal and injection. The Professor showed that basic modelling
techniques are focused mainly on vertical movements and quite often they do not consider the
existence of faults of earth fissures. In a presented advanced approach, it is possible to include
discontinuous deformations and model both, the vertical and horizontal displacements, which are
important considering local people and infrastructure. Professor Teatini also presented 3 case
studies, where the advanced methodology of geomechanical modelling was applied, which were
located in China, the Netherlands and the USA. Each case study was focused on a different
aspect of modelling, addressing the following issues: fissures modelling, threats connected
with faults reactivation including induced seismicity and modelling of horizontal displacements.
The seminar ended with a short discussion about deformation caused by fluid withdrawal and injection,
approaches to their modelling and problems connected with this topic
Photogallery
In October 2021 Artur Guzy, M.Sc., Eng. (Ph.D. Student of the Department of Mining Areas Protection,
Geoinformatics and Mining Surveying and Wojciech Witkowski, Ph.D., Eng. (assistant professor of the Department
of Mining Areas Protection, Geoinformatics and Mining Surveying) held their research internship at the Uniwersity
of Aberdeen (Great Britain), where the third member of their joint project Andrés González Quirós, Ph.D., works.
The theme of the internship was directly connected with the grant of the European Space Agency: „Application of InSAR
to Model Compaction of the Aquifer System and Movement of the Land Surface in Abandoned Mines”
(Cosmo-SkyMed Project no. 65954), the head of which is Artur Guzy, M.Sc., Eng.
The degradation of rock mass and the occurrence of land subsidence or even sinkholes is one
of the negative effects of underground mining. Such phenomena could damage infrastructure
and threaten residents of altered regions. However, underground mining typically requires
deep drainage of rock layers via pumping. The original hydrogeological conditions
of the rock mass are therefore affected. As a result, due to the change in the groundwater
levels and the decrease in the hydrostatic pressure, the aquifer system is depleted
and rock mass is additionally compacted. However, with the closure of the mine by flooding,
the aquifer system is beginning to be restored. The rock mass is re-filled with groundwater
as a result, and uplifts occur on the land surface. However, the fluctuation and rapid flow
of groundwater related to the flooding of the mine can also lead to rock mass suffocation
nd the formation of sinkholes.
Hard coal mining in Europe has a long tradition and goes back to the beginning of the industrial
revolution. Coal mines were mainly located in the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium,
the Netherlands and Spain. Hard coal is still being mined in Poland.
Study Geoinformation and Mining Surveying registration is now opened