60 2YC and 4YCU Geoscience Student Research Poster Showcase

This session is designed for two-year college (2YC) and four-year college and university (4YCU) students presenting research posters in any sub-discipline of geoscience.

Sunday, 19 October 2025
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
HBGCC, Hall 1

Hydrologically Driven Surface Deformation in the Permian Basin: InSAR and GIS Analysis of Anthropogenic Subsidence

Paper number: 60-59
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Authors

Abstract

The Permian Basin is characterized by complex geologic structures and intensive hydrocarbon development, yet hydrologically driven surface deformation is increasingly recognized as an emerging concern. This study investigates how rainfall infiltration and groundwater withdrawal, together with subsurface characteristics such as sediment type, structural features, and aquifer properties, influence the severity and distribution of subsidence within the Permian Basin. Sentinel‑1 InSAR time‑series are being integrated with GIS to delineate deformation zones and explore their relationships with hydrologic and geologic factors. Multi‑year Sentinel‑1 InSAR data are being processed with open‑source workflows to generate displacement maps for spatiotemporal analysis in GIS. Preliminary patterns suggest localized deformation that may coincide with both intense precipitation events and groundwater extraction areas. Ongoing analysis integrates hydrologic, geologic, and land‑use datasets in GIS to better understand how natural and anthropogenic factors together influence patterns of surface deformation. This approach highlights the potential of combining InSAR and GIS to untangle interactions between natural and human‑driven processes in semi‑arid basins. Insights from this work can inform water resource management, infrastructure planning, and geohazard assessment in the Permian Basin and comparable regions.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-414678

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