Ge 167: Tectonic Geodesy

Course Description

An introduction to the use of modern geodetic observations (e.g., GPS and InSAR) to constrain crustal deformation models. Secular velocity fields, coseismic and time-dependent processes; volcano deformation and seasonal loading phenomena. Basic inverse approaches for parameter estimation and basic temporal filtering algorithms.

Units: 3-0-6 (spring)
Regular class time: TTh 10:30-12:00, 162 S.Mudd
Grading policy:

Homework (problem sets, paper review/discussion): 60%
Class participation: 10%
Project: 30%

Instructor

Mark Simons, x6984, 355 South Mudd, simons@caltech.edu

Teaching Assistant

Ting Chen, x6974, 362 South Mudd, tchen@gps.caltech.edu

Ombudsperson

Zhongwen Zhan, zwzhan@gps.caltech.edu

Readings

Textbook

Parameter estimation and inverse problems By Richard C. Aster, Clifford H. Thurber, Brian Borchers Academic Press, 2005 (Reserved in GPS library)
Linear Algebra, Geodesy, and GPS by Gilbert Strang and Kai Borre (1997)

Papers (more to come)

Models

REVEL: A model for Recent plate velocities from space geodesy Sella, G. F., T. H. Dixon, and A. Mao (2002), J. Geophys. Res., 107(B4), 2081, doi:10.1029/2000JB000033.
Block models of crustal motion in southern California constrained by GPS measurements Meade and Hager, JGR, 2005
Interseismic strain accumulation: spin-up, cycle invariance, and irregular rupture sequences. Hetland, E.A., and B.H. Hager, 2006. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 7, Q05004, doi:10.1029/2005GC001087.
The effect of rheological layering on postseismic and interseismic displacements Hetland, E.A., and B.H. Hager, 2006. . Geophys. J. Int., 166, 277-292
Postseismic and interseismic displacements near a strike-slip fault: a 2D theory for general linear viscoelastic rheologies. Hetland, E.A. and B.H. Hager, 2005. J. Geopys. Res., 110, B10401, doi:10.1029/2005JB003689.

Strainmaps

Interseismic crustal deformation in the Taiwan plate boundary zone revealed by GPS observations, seismicity, and earthquake focal mechanisms Hsu et al., Tectonophysics, 2009
Strain and rotation rate from GPS in Tibet, Anatolia, and the Altiplano Allmendinger, R.W. et al., TECTONICS, VOL. 26, TC3013, doi:10.1029/2006TC002030, 2007

InSAR

Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar Geodesy Simons, M. and P. A. Rosen. (2007). pp. 391-446 in Treatise on Geophysics: Geodesy, T. A. Herring, ed., Elsevier, New York.
Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry Rosen et al., (2000). IEEE

Basics of the GPS Technique: Observation Equations Blewitt, G. in Geodetic Applications of GPS, p.10-54, ed. B. Johnson, Nordic Geodetic Commission, Sweden, ISSN 0280-5731(1997)
GPS and Space-Based Geodetic Methods Blewitt, G. (2007). pp. 351-390 in Treatise on Geophysics: Geodesy, T. A. Herring, ed., Elsevier, New York.

Optical

Monitoring Earth Surface Dynamics With Optical Imagery LEPRINCE et al., (2008). EOS
Co-Registration of Optically Sensed Images and Correlation (COSI-Corr): an Operational Methodology for Ground Deformation Measurements LEPRINCE et al., (2007). conference paper
Automatic and Precise Orthorectification, Coregistration, and Subpixel Correlation of Satellite Images, Application to Ground Deformation Measurements LEPRINCE et al., (2007). IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON GEOSCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING
Sebastien Leprince suggests reading to be focused on:
Part I: Introduction
Part II: Geometry
Parts IV-A and IV-B: Correlation (pb statement and phase correlation)
Part V-C: Complete processing chain
Part VI-B: Hector Mine earthquake from SPOT Images
VII: Conclusion
Glacier-surface velocities in alpine terrain from optical satellite imageryâAccuracy improvement and quality assessment Scherler et al., (2008). Remote Sensing of Environment
Sebastien Leprince suggests reading to be focused on:
Part 1: Introduction
Parts 2.1 & 2.2 , including figures 1, 2 and 4 (technique summary and topo biases formulation)

Earth Tides and Time-dependent Gravity

Earth Tides Agnew, D. C. (2007). pp. 163-195 in Treatise on Geophysics: Geodesy, T. A. Herring, ed., Elsevier, New York.
Time-Variable Gravity From Satellites Wahr, J. M. (2007). in Treatise on Geophysics: Geodesy, T. A. Herring, ed., Elsevier, New York.

Topics

Date	Topics
03/31/09	introduction
04/02/09	GMT + elastic dislocations
04/07/09	elastic dislocations and strain maps
04/09/09	strain estimation
04/14/09	back slip model
04/16/09	inverse problems
04/21/09	inverse problems
04/23/09	crustal model, viscoelasticity
04/28/09	INSAR overview
04/30/09	GPS time series
05/05/09	GPS (Sue Owen [pdf])
05/07/09	GPS (Sue Owen [pdf1] [pdf2])
05/12/09	lectures on optical pixel tracking methods (Sebastien Leprince [pdf])
05/14/09	lectures on optical pixel tracking methods (Sebastien Leprince [pdf])
05/19/09	hands on lab to learn optical pixel tracking methods (Sebastien Leprince) (class time, GIS lab in North Mudd)
05/21/09	Radar
05/26/09	hands on lab [pdf] (class time, computer room in South Mudd)
05/28/09	hands on lab (class time, computer room in South Mudd)
06/02/09	Newer important developments in tectonic geodesy [pdf]

Homework

Date Due	Homework
04/09/09	velocity model of California [files]
04/16/09	strain [files]
04/28/09	summary of Meade and Hager [2005]
05/07/09	GPS [files]
	read both Blewitt papers, Sebastien Leprince's notes, Sebastien Leprince's EOS and conference paper

Useful links

Science

Software