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The Impact of Satellite Measurements on the Observation and Modelling of Continental Deformation

Discussion meeting

Royal Astronomical Society,
Burlington House, London

Meeting schedule

10th and 11th February 2005

Introduction

Satellite techniques developed over the past decade now allow us to determine the deformation of the Earth's crust over different timescales and areas. The deformation can be determined over periods ranging from days to millions of years, and over areas ranging from tens to thousands of kilometers.

Radar measurements (InSAR) of the earthquake cycle can provide spectacular images of the surface displacements occurring in earthquakes. They also have the potential to allow global determination of the crustal strain accumulation eventually released in earthquakes.

InSAR measurements of movements following large earthquakes enable us to probe the mechanical properties of the crust and uppermost mantle in a way not previously possible. Geomorphological studies using high-resolution digital topography, that would have previously required detailed field work, provide constraints on long-term crustal deformation. Combined with InSAR studies of the earthquake cycle, these topographic studies allow the long-term growth of geological structures to be understood in terms of the cumulative effects of many earthquakes.

GPS technology has allowed velocity fields to be established for many actively deforming regions. GPS measurements have also revealed aseismic slip events that could provide precursors to large earthquakes, and understanding which poses challenges to current mechanical models of faults.

Aims of the meeting

The aims of the meeting are:

• To bring the above developments to the attention of sections of the geological community currently unfamiliar with them;

 

• To show the power of the new techniques resulting from them being applied together on the problem of continental deformation.

In addition, new observations lead to new uses of old models and to the development of new ideas about continental deformation. The discussion meeting will provide an opportunity for different specialists, both observationalists and modellers, to interact.

Convenors and sponsors

Convenors: Paul Cross, James Jackson and Barry Parsons.

Co-sponsors: the Royal Astronomical Society, the British Geophysical Association and the Grey-Milne Fund, the Geological Society of London, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), and the Centre for the Observation and Modelling of Earthquakes and Tectonics (COMET).

Speakers and posters

Speakers: Jean-Philippe Avouac (Caltech), Jean Chéry (Montpellier), Nicola D'Agostino (INGV, Rome), Herb Dragert (Pacific Geosciences Centre, Canada), Yann Klinger (Institut de Physique du Globe, Paris), Rob Reilinger (MIT), Kerry Sieh (Caltech), Andrew Sorby (University of Oxford) and Tim Wright (University of Oxford).

For a schedule and abstracts click here.

In addition to the invited speakers, there will be a poster session at the end of the first day combined with a wine and cheese reception. We encourage those who would like to present a poster on research related to the theme of the meeting to do so. There will be an opportunity, at the end of the first day, to introduce the work described in the poster. As poster space is limited, if you would like to present a poster, please send a short abstract (no more than one half page) to comet@earth.ox.ac.uk by 26th January 2005.

If you plan to attend

If you plan to attend the meeting, please let us know by sending an email to comet@earth.ox.ac.uk. This will allow us to estimate numbers for seating and catering, etc.

InSAR observations of deformation on the Tibetan plateau (click the above image for a larger version).

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