Volcanic Deformation Assessment Using SBAS-Insar and PS-Insar: Kīlauea Volcano Case Study

Kīlauea, a prominent shield volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island, is renowned for its frequent eruptions. Notably, the 2018 eruption in the Lower East Rift Zone led to significant ground subsidence and extensive lava flows, making it a critical event for study. This research focuses on monitoring ground deformation in the Kīlauea region during the peak eruption period from May to July 2018. Using Sentinel-1 SAR data, two advanced time-series InSAR techniques-SBAS (Small Baseline Subset) and PS-InSAR (Persistent Scatterer Interferometry)-were applied. SBAS provided a broader view of displacement across the area, while PS-InSAR delivered greater precision in detecting subtle deformations. Cross-comparison of these methods revealed strong correlations, with only minor discrepancies at higher deformation velocities. The findings underscore the importance of integrating multiple InSAR techniques for comprehensive volcanic monitoring and effective risk mitigation, highlighting their complementary strengths in capturing both wide-scale and minute ground movements.