Potential Critical Levee Failing Azovstal, Ukraine
EO59 together with Schnabel Engineering, have been actively seeking to support the people of Ukraine by utilising our combined capability to remotely determine the deformation of critical civilian infrastructure.
Following up on an Interfax Ukraine bulletin regarding the potential for catastrophic consequences should the levee separating toxic hydrogen sulfide from the Sea of Azov fail, causing an extinction level exposure in the Sea of Azov, we’ve identified, developed, and reviewed the InSAR derived deformation data for the levee. What we’ve found, visible from space, in Azovstal is beyond the pale.
Russian assault and subsequent occupation, of Mariupol and the Azovstal facility made the levee impossible to inspect in person. We observe it bulging out toward the sea at rates that may be concerning in any levee, let alone one of such importance to all life on a sea nearly the size of Denmark.
The image shows the deformation of the levee in the last 4 years as observed by ESA Sentinel 1 satellite InSAR atop the latest MapBox base map. White indicates deformation close to zero, while red colors are related to portions of the levee affected by displacement. We are not publicly disclosing the direction of motion, nor metrics to protect the People of Ukraine.
We collaborate to remotely assess civilian facilities through clouds, smoke, and darkness by utilizing satellite synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry. The destruction brought by this war is similar in scale to an unending earthquake along an area the size of the Netherlands. There are no other techniques that can survey such vast area remotely with such accuracy, let alone nearly every day for years.
To the millimeter, we determine deformation over wide areas by comparing new radar samples with archives available for many years prior to the war. This empowers engineers, and scientists, to monitor and derive cursory assessments of sites that cannot otherwise be reached, let alone instrumented in person.
We must do all we can, and then even more. For us, that means remote sensing with satellite SAR tools and engineering eyes considering the results. If we cannot be there in person to assess the conditions, we can support efforts to monitor critical infrastructure so that we all can respond accordingly
EO59, a satellite radar remote sensing firm provides the precision data Schnabel Engineering employs to derive meaningful, experience based, assessments of mining, transportation, and commercial infrastructure sites globally where we apply remote sensing resources supporting asset management.
Allen Cadden, P.E., D.GE is a Principal with Schnabel Engineering, Inc in Chadds Ford, PA where he leads the companies GeoStructural Practice. He is an active member of the ASCE Grouting Committees and ICOG and is a Past President of the Geo-Institute of ASCE. Mr. Cadden received his BSCE and Masters of Engineering from Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia and is a licensed engineer in ten states.
