Assessing subsidence at fuel-storage tanks in Moa Port, Cuba, using interferometric synthetic aperture radar and engineering-geological interpretation

This study investigates ground deformation affecting fuel-storage tanks TK-5 and TK-6 at Moa Port, Cuba, a coastal facility built on reclaimed ground. The analysis integrates Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), engineering-geological interpretation of borehole data, and field observations to evaluate deformation patterns and their implications for foundation performance. The subsurface profile comprises heterogeneous reclamation fill overlying a very soft cohesive layer, loose alluvial deposits, and thick marine sediments beneath a shallow groundwater table influenced by sea level. Multi-temporal analysis of 294 Sentinel-1 images acquired between 2014 and 2021 identified persistent deformation affecting both tanks. Average annual deformation rates were approximately −1.0 to −1.4 mm/year at TK-5 and up to −2.5 mm/year at TK-6, with cumulative displacements of about −6 mm and −15 mm, respectively. Field inspections conducted in 2022 documented cracking at the tank bases and differential settlements of several centimeters. The combined evidence indicates that the observed damage is primarily controlled by the differential settlement of soft saturated soils beneath the reclaimed platform. The greater deformation observed at TK-6 is consistent with lateral variability in subsurface conditions across the site. The study demonstrates the value of integrating InSAR-based monitoring with geotechnical interpretation and field verification to assess subsidence risk in critical coastal infrastructure.