Bookshelf Kinematics and the Effect of Dilatation on Fault Zone Inelastic Deformation: Examples from Optical Image Correlation Measurements of the 2019 Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence

ABSTRACT Mapping fault surface rupture in the aftermath of earthquakes quickly and efficiently is critical to both emergency responders and scientific investigations. We applied an optical imagery correlation technique to map, in detail, the location (not magnitude of displacement) of the surface-rupture trace of the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake sequence to help provide field responders with information to guide response. Emergency managers need to know the location and amount of deformation that has occurred to effectively allocate resources for critical infrastructure repair as soon as possible after earthquakes. Scientific responders need to know the spatial pattern of deformation to determine where to send field teams to conduct scientific reconnaissance and to found later in-depth scientific research. Rapid scientific response is important because earthquake surface ruptures are often fragile features that do not persist in the landscape for more than a few weeks or months at locations with high anthropogenic or climatic modification. Remote sensing techniques have proven effective at aiding event response efforts by guiding field teams to locations with deformation and damage. We focus here on the utility and advantages of detailed remote sensing interpretations of the surface-rupture trace made using an optical image correlation map of relative surface displacement in the weeks after the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake sequence.

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Liquefaction-Induced Horizontal Displacements from the Canterbury Earthquake Sequence in New Zealand Measured from Remote Sensing Techniques

Earthquake Spectra ◽

10.1193/080816eqs127m ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 1475-1494 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Ellen M. Rathje ◽

Sorin S. Secara ◽

Jonathan G. Martin ◽

Sjoerd van Ballegooy ◽

James Russell

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Satellite Image ◽

Lateral Spreading ◽

Optical Image ◽

Image Correlation ◽

Earthquake Sequence ◽

Canterbury Earthquake Sequence ◽

Image Pairs ◽

Horizontal Displacements

Using satellite image pairs from the 2010–2011 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence (CES) in New Zealand, optical image correlation is used to measure horizontal displacements due to liquefaction-induced lateral spreading. Horizontal displacements as small as 0.2 to 0.3 m are accurately measured by optical image correlation at a spatial resolution of less than 20 m. Comparisons with field survey measurements of horizontal displacement are favorable, but some differences are observed due to the different spatial scales of the measurements. Liquefaction-induced horizontal displacements derived from LIDAR surveys are similar to those from optical image correlation, but in some locations the LIDAR measurements are inaccurate due to limitations in the LIDAR survey acquisition methodology used. This paper demonstrates that optical image correlation from satellite image pairs can be used to create more complete databases of liquefaction-induced horizontal movements, which can be used to improve current predictive models for liquefaction-induced horizontal displacements. Future post-earthquake investigations and research should make use of optical image correlation to document the horizontal displacements associated with liquefaction.

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