Estimation of co-seismic land deformation due to Mw 7.3 2017 earthquake in Iran (12 November 2017) using Sentinel-1 DInSAR

A strong shaking with Mw 7.3 occurred on 12th November 2017 around the Sarpol-e Zahab town in the border area between Iran and Iraq. It has a number of foreshocks and aftershocks increasing the total deformation, cumulatively. In this study, we have investigated how earth surface deformed after such a strong earthquake and its scatters. Because, the deformation inspection are indispensable for the safety of citizens and infrastructures. The best way for monitoring of surface deformation in such a big event is the SAR technique. This system can work effectively during night and day under different weather conditions. The Interferometric SAR (InSAR) allows accurate measurements of surface deformation in mm resolution. There are several methods for the application of SAR techniques and one of them is Differential InSAR (DInSAR) indicating an uplift and subsidence around epicentral area precisely. We preferred to use it for sensitive vertical displacement in the target area. The seismological data from the observatory centers indicate that the recent earthquake sourced from the NW-SE trending, northeast dipping High Zagros Reverse Fault Zone. According to the results, epicentral area has been exposed a vertical displacement with 90 cm uplift and -41 cm subsidence in the northeastern and southwestern block of the fault, respectively.