Instability Processes and SAR Data Analysis in the Pompeii Archeological Park

The Italian Institute for Environment Protection and Research (ISPRA) signed in 2015 a three-year agreement with the Pompeii Archaeological Park aimed at analyzing and interpreting ground motion measures obtained by satellite monitoring as well as the geomorphological processes affecting the unexcavated areas. COSMO-SkyMed SAR data were processed by e-GEOS Company in the framework of an agreement between the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Finmeccanica Group (nowadays Leonardo Group). A collection of information about recent instability processes in the Archaeological Park was carried out. Limits and constraints of satellite monitoring applied to cultural heritage protection and conservation have been investigated. The results highlighted the potential of the satellite interferometric technique, above all concerning the monitoring of the archaeological protective shelters, the effectiveness of the shoring measures and the identification of those areas where the instrumental monitoring should be implemented.