Geological Interpretation of the Deformation Obtained by PSInSAR in Islamabad and Rawalpindi

Our study aims to explore the influence of tectonics on deformation in the Islamabad/Rawalpindi (Twin cities) area in Pakistan using the standard PSInSAR technique in conjunction with a tectonic map. While previous research conducted by [4] employed PSInSAR to detect deformation, their study overlooked the consideration of tectonic features in the urban areas despite the presence of several faults in the study area, as evident from historical tectonics maps. Additionally, it is noteworthy that a 4.6 Mw earthquake occurred within the deformation zone in 2017. In our study, we integrated historical earthquake data and tectonic maps of the study area. By applying the standard PSInSAR technique, we have observed a deformation rate of up to 350 mm over the past five years, averaging approximately 70 mm/year and our findings indicate that deformation in the study area cannot be attributed solely to water extraction. The fault lines surrounding the deformation zone play a crucial role, emphasizing the necessity of a detailed analysis of their contribution to deformation patterns.