Application of Remote Sensing Techniques for the Study of Neotectonic Deformation, Subsidence and Coastal Processes

Remote sensing is a valuable tool for studying various natural and anthropogenic processes around the world. This work utilizes data collected from spaceborne and airborne platforms to study the effects of subsidence, neotectonic deformation, and coastal change. The first study covers subsidence and neotectonic deformation in Karachi and surrounding areas on the southern coast of Pakistan. This area is situated along the diffuse western margin of the Indian plate and in close proximity to the active Makran Subduction Zone. I used Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) to identify hotspots of subsidence in the city and quantify rates of deformation. This study was the first to report the presence of an active fault within the city. The second study covers influential factors driving subsidence in Katy, Texas. The greater Houston area has an established history of subsidence driven by groundwater withdrawal, but few studies have focused on other contributing factors. I used InSAR to determine the areas and rates of subsidence and used various publicly available datasets to calculate variables for use in a linear regression model. The results of this study revealed that population growth and total developed area are two of the highest contributors to subsidence in the area. The third study covers coastal change at two selected sites along the Gulf Coast of Texas: Follett’s and Galveston Islands. Coastal change in the form of shoreline retreat and sediment erosion reduces the protective influence of barrier islands and their beach-dune systems. I conducted an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) survey at these two sites and collected sediment samples for grain size analysis. Using the UAV data, I quantified the change in terms of elevation, sediment volume, and vegetation cover and performed a risk assessment for each site using a Coastal Vulnerability Index. The results determined overall accretion at the Galveston site and erosion at the Follett’s site, and the vulnerability of the sites was classified as moderate risk and very high risk, respectively.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geology

Grantor

University of Houston

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Tirmizi, Syed Osman Ali

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Khan, Shuhab D

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Carlson, Brandee
• Fattahi, Heresh
• Sisson, Virginia

• Remote Sensing, Subsidence, Neotectonics, Coastal Studies, Geospatial Analysis

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10657/17773

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:uh-ir.tdl.org:10657/17773