SCEC Award Number 10027 View PDF
Proposal Category Individual Proposal (Integration and Theory)
Proposal Title Estimation of Time-Dependent Velocity Gradient Tensor Fields for Transient Detection
Investigator(s)
Name Organization
William Holt Stony Brook University
Other Participants 1
SCEC Priorities A5, C, A11 SCEC Groups Geodesy, CDM, LAD
Report Due Date 02/28/2011 Date Report Submitted N/A
Project Abstract
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Intellectual Merit This work is relevant to SCEC Science Priority Objectives (A5, C, and A11) and several objectives within the Interdisciplinary Focus Areas, such as Crustal Deformation Modeling. In particular, this work is aligned with the goal of System-Wide Deformation Models. Our detailed strain rate models can make a significant contribution toward the goals of UCERF3 of constraining on and off-fault deformation rates, fault locking depths and slip rates of faults. The methodology is not confined to finding deformation events only on known faults nor is it confined to finding only tectonic events. Hydrologic or even anthropogenic-associated changes (e.g., volume sources) are also a possible finding. Moreover, because the strain rates and rotation rates are determined, the results provide important constraints for dynamics of crust and upper mantle, which is in accord with the CDM goal of “resolving the kinematics and dynamics of southern California faults over time scales ranging from hours to thousands of years” (Science priority A11). Because we are estimating strain rates, this work is also synergistic with efforts within Earthquake Forecasting and Predictability (EFP) [e.g., Kagan and Jackson, 2000; Bird and Kagan, 2004; Bird and Liu, 2007; Bird et al., 2010].
Broader Impacts This project supported an undergraduate researcher in the summer of 2010. The work facilitated the teaching and training of Patrick Abejar at Stony Brook. Patrick is a dual major in Chemical Engineering and Geosciences. The potential benefits will be through the development of a quantitative tool for measuring crustal strain rate transients with estimated uncertainties. The goal will be to develop this tool to measure strain changes in near-real-time, which will be of significant benefit to the science and societal objectives of SCEC.
Exemplary Figure N/A