Optical Image Correlation
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Application to Tectonics
In a recent paper

S. Leprince, S. Barbot, F. Ayoub and J.-P. Avouac, "Automatic, Precise, Ortho-rectification and Coregistration for satellite Image Correlation, Application to Ground Deformation Measurement", IEEE Trans. Geosc. Rem. Sens., in press, 2006

we describe how to measure static deformation from a couple of optical satellite images. There are three major issues in this process: image co-registration, stereoscopic compensation and finally cross-correlation of the two-dimensional signal.
Using SPOT 5 panchromatic imagery, we achieve a 20-80cm accurate measurement of North-South and East-West horizontal ground displacements. The compensation of stereoscopic artifacts allows us to select data with various look angles and hence provides more flexibility with available data. Result of cross-correlation is a geo-referenced image of horizontal static displacement with 180m spatial resolution. For more information and examples, visit the designated section of the Tectonics Laboratory at Caltech.