Regional Global Navigation Satellite System networks for crustal deformation monitoring

Seismological Research Letters
By: , and 

Metrics

26
Crossref references
Web analytics dashboard Metrics definitions

Links

Abstract

Regional networks of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) stations cover seismically and volcanically active areas throughout the United States. Data from these networks have been used to produce high‐precision, three‐component velocity fields covering broad geographic regions as well as position time series that track time‐varying crustal deformation. This information has contributed to assessing interseismic strain accumulation and related seismic hazard, revealed previously unknown occurrences of aseismic fault slip, constrained coseismic slip estimates, and enabled monitoring of volcanic unrest and postseismic deformation. In addition, real‐time GNSS data are now widely available. Such observations proved invaluable for tracking the rapidly evolving eruption of Kīlauea in 2018. Real‐time earthquake source modeling using GNSS data is being incorporated into tsunami warning systems, and a vigorous research effort is focused on quantifying the contribution that real‐time GNSS can make to improve earthquake early warnings as part of the Advanced National Seismic System ShakeAlert system. Real‐time GNSS data can also aid in the tracking of ionospheric disturbances and precipitable water vapor for weather forecasting. Although regional GNSS and seismic networks generally have been established independently, their spatial footprints often overlap, and in some cases the same institution operates both types of networks. Further integration of GNSS and seismic networks would promote joint use of the two data types to better characterize earthquake sources and ground motion as well as offer opportunities for more efficient network operations. Looking ahead, upgrading network stations to leverage new GNSS technology could enable more precise positioning and robust real‐time operations. New computational approaches such as machine learning have the potential to enable full utilization of the large amounts of data generated by continuous GNSS networks. Development of seafloor Global Positioning System‐acoustic networks would provide unique information for fundamental and applied research on subduction zone seismic hazard and, potentially, monitoring.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Regional Global Navigation Satellite System networks for crustal deformation monitoring
Series title Seismological Research Letters
DOI 10.1785/0220190113
Volume 91
Issue 2A
Publication Date September 04, 2019
Year Published 2020
Language English
Publisher Seismological Society of America
Contributing office(s) Earthquake Science Center
Description 21 p.
First page 552
Last page 572
Additional publication details