Eidence For The Earthquake - Volcano Connection
Eidence For The Earthquake - Volcano Connection
Eidence For The Earthquake - Volcano Connection
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
This map shows earthquake and volcanic deformation in the central Andes between 1992-2005 as measured by the ERS-1, ERS-2, and Envisat radar satellites of the European Space Agency. Each color cycle represents a change of 5 cm in the distance from the satellite and the ground between satellite overflights. The direction of the radar beam is shown by the black arrow at the top of the image. The ultimate cause of the earthquakes and volcanic deformation is the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath South America. The trench is the red line, and a reference location map is in upper right. Along the coast are the deformation patterns from four subduction zone earthquakes along with their focal mechanisms. The earthquakes in 1995, 1996, and 2001 are shallow thrust earthquakes (depths 10-60 km), while the 2005 is a deep (about 100 km) extensional event. Inset maps are detailed looks at the centers of volcanic deformation: Hualca Hualca, Peru (A), Uturuncu, Bolivia (B), the source between Lastarria and Cordon del Azufre on the Chile/Argentina border (called ``Lazufre'' here) (C), are inflating, while Cerro Blanco in NW Argentina is deflating (D). Interferogram time spans are as follows: Lazufre and Uturuncu 5/96-12/00 (4.6 yr), Cerro Blanco 5/96-10/00 (4.4 yr), and Hualca Hualca 6/92-4/96 (3.9 yr). Cataloged volcanoes are shown as black triangles and ``potentially active'' volcanoes are white triangles. Depending on the antenna configuration, InSAR can be used to measure topography, ocean currents, ground moisture changes, surface deformation (from glaciers, earthquakes, volcanoes, etc.) and even to study other planets (either from the Earth or from orbit). In the realm of surface deformation, here are a few of the key discoveries being made by InSAR: 1. High resolution maps of deformation before, during and after earthquakes have revealed numerous break-throughs. The spatial patterns of deformation in the weeks to decades after large earthquakes have been used to place bounds on the fault frictional properties as well as the viscosity of the subsurface. In addition, the importance of poro-elastic deformation has been discovered - that is, deformation from water movements caused by earthquake-induced adjustments in the regional stress field. 2. Ice sheets are much more dynamic than previously thought, with important consequences for predicting sea level rise. 3. There are systematic errors in the locations for certain shallow earthquakes. With the InSAR data, refined location procedures can be developed with implications for monitoring nuclear tests, creating better models of the elastic properties of the Earth's interior, and assessing seismic hazard.
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
4. Magma is moving at many supposedly dormant volcanoes. 5. Groundwater movements beneath major cities and elsewhere exhibit complex spatial and temporal variations, in part influenced by human activities. Though existing InSAR systems have provided many new insights, the satellites to date have not been optimized for InSAR, and a satellite dedicated to InSAR with more frequent and consistent observations could address some very large scale problems in geophysics. Several review panels have stressed that InSAR should be a high priority for US funding agencies. Eventually, constellations of InSAR satellites in a variety of orbits, including possibly geosynchronous orbits, could allow near real time imaging, which would greatly assist in response to natural hazards. Find out about UNAVCO's InSAR-related activites [PDF].
Facility
General Inform ation Project Support Data Software
Community
Meetings & Events Governance Mem bership Strategic Plan Proposals & Reports Policies, Form s & Procedures Discussion Forum s Mail Lists
Collaborations
Africa Array CO CO Net - Caribbean Network EarthScope Hazard Response Efforts GSAC W S - Seam less Archive INTERFACE - Lidar Scanning LARISSA - Larsen Ice Shelf PO LENET - Polar O bservations RESESS - Student Interns NLAS - Lidar Access System Supersites Initiative W InSAR
more ...
Community Science
Geodesy Applications Science Product Support Highlights Research Briefs Newsroom Meeting & Event Publications Com m unity Bibliography
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com