Near Real-Time Radar Interferometry of the Mw 7.1 Hector Mine Earthquake

David T. Sandwell, Lydie Sichoix, Duncan C. Agnew, Yehuda Bock, & Jean B. Minster

Published October 1, 2000, SCEC Contribution #618

The Hector Mine Earthquake (Mw 7.1, 16 October 1999) ruptured 45 km of previously mapped and unmapped faults in the Mojave Desert. The ERS-2 satellite imaged the Mojave Desert on 15 September and again on 20 October, just 4 days after the earthquake. Using a newly-developed ground station we acquired both passes and were able to form an interferogram within 20 hours of the second overflight. Estimates of slip along the main rupture are 1-2 meters greater than slip derived from geological mapping. The gradient of the interferometric phase reveals an interesting pattern of triggered slip on adjacent faults as well as a 30 mm deep sink hole along Interstate 40.

Citation
Sandwell, D. T., Sichoix, L., Agnew, D. C., Bock, Y., & Minster, J. B. (2000). Near Real-Time Radar Interferometry of the Mw 7.1 Hector Mine Earthquake. Geophysical Research Letters, 27(19), 3101-3104.