As part of the state of Baden-Württemberg’s digitalization strategy, digital.LÄND, the Karlsruhe Geodetic Institute (GIK) has been collaborating with the State Office for Geoinformation and Land Development (LGL) since 2023 to develop a ground motion information system (BoBIS) for Baden-Württemberg.
The goal of the “Competence Area Satellite Data” project within the digital.LÄND framework is to prepare for the expansion of the LGL’s central remote sensing capabilities by developing prototype methods for processing satellite data, integrating them into geodatabase infrastructure, expanding the product portfolio, and making the data available via the web to public administration in Baden-Württemberg as well as other users in business and academia.
One subproject within the “Satellite Data Competence Area” is the establishment of a Ground Motion Information system (BoBIS) in Baden-Württemberg, primarily based on free-of-charge and continuously available data from the Sentinel-1 satellites of the European Copernicus program. The project aims to harness the great potential of radar interferometry for satellite-based ground motion monitoring to detect ground displacement (for example, resulting from anhydrite processes following geothermal drilling, mining-related motion, or changes in groundwater levels). To this end, the GIK conducted preparatory studies, some of which were also published.
LGL and GIK are currently working on the implementation of a statewide control point monitoring system using radar interferometry, as required by the Administrative Regulation for the Geodetic Spatial Reference dated July 10, 2025. Based on data from the European Ground Motion Service, Active Displacement Areas (ADAs) and anomalies (changes in motion) are first detected. If ADAs or anomalies are found within the vicinity of control points, they are categorized and flagged accordingly. In the future, control point monitoring is to be further developed into infrastructure monitoring using radar interferometry.) detail with ADA and nearby CP (descending orbit)