Nigerian Researcher, Adeyinka Olaseinde, making giant strides in Earth Observation at Missouri S&T

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

Akure-born Nigerian researcher Adeyinka Olaseinde, an M.S. graduate in Geology and Geophysics from Missouri University of Science and Technology, U.S., recently concluded groundbreaking research on improving the accuracy of satellite-based ground deformation monitoring.

Adeyinka’s Research focused on Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), a powerful technique for detecting minute changes in the Earth’s surface across vast areas. Despite being highly effective, InSAR measurements are often distorted by tropospheric delays, which are errors caused by variations in atmospheric water vapour, pressure, and temperature. To address this challenge, Adeyinka adopted RAiDER, an open-source Python package, and high-resolution numerical weather prediction models such as the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) to correct for these atmospheric effects.

The research took a step from conventional correction methods by quantifying residual atmospheric errors that persist after HRRR-based adjustments, particularly at scales smaller than a single weather model grid cell. Adeyinka developed a statistical uncertainty model to estimate the potential error in InSAR-derived velocity measurements. This advancement promises to enhance the reliability of satellite deformation monitoring for applications ranging from earthquake hazard mapping and infrastructure stability assessments to climate-change-driven land surface studies.

The practical implications include: improved hazard forecasting, more accurate geospatial data for engineering projects, and enhanced decision-making tools for vulnerable regions. Adeyinka’s work not only contributes to U.S. scientific advancement but also sets a precedent for applying cutting-edge atmospheric correction methods.