Identifying Disaster Extent and Risk Using NISAR Surface Displacement
- Start Date:
- Nov. 12, 2026
- End Date:
- Nov. 19, 2026
- Description:
- Small changes in Earth’s surface can serve as early indicators of potential natural hazards. For example, subtle ground movements may signal areas at risk of landslides, volcanic activity, or earthquakes. Additionally, measuring the extent of surface displacement after an earthquake can help assess both the magnitude of the event and the areas affected, including regions that may have been damaged or destroyed. These measurements are made possible through Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), which is a technique that NASA/ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) is specifically designed to support. In addition, displacement products based on InSAR are being developed and made available through NASA’s Observational Products for End-Users from Remote Sensing Analysis (OPERA) project. This intermediate, two-part training will focus on the use of InSAR data from NISAR and surface displacement products from OPERA to monitor ground movements and assess areas at risk of landslides, earthquakes, and other natural hazards. The training will also include demonstrations on how to use these data products to evaluate regions that may have been damaged by seismic events.
- Targeted Audience:
- Disaster response managers from federal, state, and local government agencies, NGOs, and from private sector organizations, both domestically and internationally. Students and academics who are interested in radar remote sensing for disaster extent and risk.
- Expected Outcomes:
- By the end of this training, attendees will be able to: Identify the core capabilities and mechanisms of InSAR that make it uniquely suited for measuring surface displacement compared to other remote sensing methods. Recognize the common limitations, uncertainties, and potential sources of error associated with L-band InSAR. Select the most appropriate NISAR or OPERA surface displacement product to monitor ground movement in order to assess a specific natural hazard scenario (e.g., landslide, earthquake, or volcanic activity). Apply a workflow to access, visualize, and process time-series NISAR surface displacement products for disaster assessment related to earthquakes, landslides, and volcanoes. Interpret NISAR time-series surface displacement data products to determine the extent and magnitude of ground movement related to earthquakes, volcanoes, and natural hazards. Access and analyze OPERA surface displacement products for earthquakes, volcanoes, and natural hazards.
- Host:
- NASA Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET)
- Organizer:
- NASA Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET)
- Format/Training Type:
- Webinar
- Language:
- English
- Attendance:
- Open
- Application Deadline:
- Nov. 12, 2026
- Qualifications:
Fundamentals of Remote Sensing, or equivalent experience: https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/learn/trainings/fundamentals-remote-sensing-0 An Introduction to Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and its Applications, or equivalent experience: https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/learn/trainings/introduction-synthetic-aperture-radar-sar-its-applications
- Contact Name:
- Brock Blevins
- Contact Email:
- brock.blevins@nasa.gov
- Link:
- https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/learn/trainings/identifying-disaster-extent-risk-using-nisar-surface-displacement
- Thematic Area:
- Disasters
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