Tracking Human-Induced Landscape Disturbance at the Nasca Lines UNESCO World Heritage Site in Peru with COSMO-SkyMed InSAR

A groundbreaking study leverages high-resolution COSMO-SkyMed satellite imagery to document human-induced disturbances at the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa' in Peru. The research identifies two significant events—December 2014 and January 2018—using interferometric SAR (InSAR) techniques, which detect temporal decorrelation linked to landscape changes. These findings align with photographic evidence, published reports, and official records from Peruvian authorities. Additionally, Sentinel-2B data reveal surface reflectance changes in the Pampa de Jumana, exposing underlying clay layers beneath darker pebble surfaces. This study underscores the value of SAR imagery archives for retrospective analysis and digital preservation, offering critical geospatial insights into heritage conservation.

Cigna, F., & Tapete, D. (2018). Tracking Human-Induced Landscape Disturbance at the Nasca Lines UNESCO World Heritage Site in Peru with COSMO-SkyMed InSAR. Remote Sensing, 10(4), 572. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs10040572