Ge 193: Active Tectonic Geodesy (Prototype)

Course Description

This course introduces the use of modern geodetic observations to constrain crustal deformation models. We will cover the commonly used basic elastic and viscoelastic models and their implications. We will also cover the processing and use of GPS and InSAR observations, especially newly available data from dense GPS networks and orbiting radar satellites. For both data types, we will address sources of noise and promote “best-practices” for using these data. We will begin with the use of secular velocity fields, followed by co-seismic, and time-dependent processes. Time permitting, we will address volcano deformation, as well as seasonal loading phenomena. As part of this course, we introduce basic inverse approaches to model parameter estimation, as well as basic temporal filtering algorithms. This course is intended to provide hands on experience and will rely extensively on the use of Matlab. Tutorials on software will be provided as needed.

Units: 3-0-6 (first term)
Regular class time: Tuesday and Thursday 9am – 10:30am, 162 S. Mudd
TA office hour: Wednesday 11am - noon, 362 S. Mudd
Grading policy: 60% homework, 40% project, no final

Topics

Please do the reading before the corresponding lecture.

Homework

Late homeworks will be penalized 10% per day, unless there is a clear problem with any given assignment or there is some kind of real emergency. Discussing homeworks with fellow students is fine, but what is turned in should represent your work, not a group effort. Please do not request extensions on the same day the homework is due.

*BOC = beginning of class

Reading assignments

As part of this class, we will read selected important papers. The papers will be handed out during the class or available as PDFs from the class website.

Your paper summaries/comparisons should be two pages long, max. In general, please treat this assignment like any other scientific writing (i.e., papers, reviews, and proposals) and conform to a format with single or double-spaced lines, 1 inch margins, and 12 pt font. Use a concise style of prose (but do not slip into outline form). Choose an active style over a passive style, avoid chatty colloquialisms (this is not a diary), watch that you have some kind of logical order of presentation, and be precise with your language.

*BOC = beginning of class

Background reading is available on the papers page.

Scripts

To complete your homework assignments and projects, take advantage of the useful scripts posted in the scripts page.

Textbooks

• Required

  • TBD

• Suggested

  • TBD

• Background reading

  • Factorization Methods for Discrete Sequential Estimation by Gerald J. Bierman (A basic introduction to Kalman Filtering)

  • Geophysical Data Analysis: Discrete Inverse Theory by William Menke (A basic introduction to discrete inverse theory available on reserve in the library)

  • Satellite Geodesy 2nd ed. by Gunter Seeber (Reference text for GPS system, coordinate systems and datums)

  • Linear Algebra, Geodesy, and GPS by Gilbert Strang (An introduction to GPS methodologies)

Useful Links

• Science

• ALOS Homepage

• EarthScope

• ESA ENVISAT Homepage

• JPL Solid Earth Science

• Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program

• UNAVCO

• USGS Earthquake Hazards Program

• Software

  • GMT homepage

  • MATLAB on-line help

Tutorials

• GMT

• GMT resource seminar

• MATLAB

• MATLAB tutorial

• MATLAB resource seminar [plots]

Instructor

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

Teaching Assistant

• Sarah Minson, 362 South Mudd, minson@gps.caltech.edu, x6974

Ombudsperson

• Lijun Liu, 364 South Mudd, lijun@gps.caltech.edu, x6931

Last updated Oct. 12, 2006