Constraining Interacting Fault Models in the Salton Trough with Remote Sensing Data

Margaret T. Glasscoe, Jay W. Parker, Andrea Donnellan, Gregory A. Lyzenga, & Chris W. Milliner

Published August 15, 2016, SCEC Contribution #6915, 2016 SCEC Annual Meeting Poster #152

Constraining the distribution of slip and determining the behavior of fault interactions is a complex problem. Field and remotely sensed data often lack the necessary coverage to fully resolve fault behavior. However, realistic physical models may be used to more accurately characterize the complex behavior of faults constrained with observed data, such as GPS, InSAR, and SfM. These results will improve the utility of using combined models and data to understand fault interactions, estimate earthquake potential and characterize plate boundary behavior.

We will investigate how faults in the Salton Trough have been affected by past several earthquakes by constructing viscoelastic models and comparing them to observed geodetic data. The fault segments and slip distributions are modeled using the JPL GeoFEST software. GeoFEST (Geophysical Finite Element Simulation Tool) is a two- and three-dimensional finite element software package for modeling solid stress and strain in geophysical and other continuum domain applications [Lyzenga, et al., 2000; Glasscoe, et al., 2004; Parker, et al., 2008, 2010].

New methods to advance geohazards research using computer simulations and remotely sensed observations for model validation are required to understand fault slip, the complex nature of fault interaction and plate boundary deformation. These models help enhance our understanding of the underlying processes, such as transient deformation and fault creep, and can aid in developing observation strategies for sUAV, airborne, and upcoming satellite missions seeking to determine how faults behave and interact and assess their associated hazard.

Key Words
viscoelastic models, fault interactions, remote sensing, geodesy, tectonics

Citation
Glasscoe, M. T., Parker, J. W., Donnellan, A., Lyzenga, G. A., & Milliner, C. W. (2016, 08). Constraining Interacting Fault Models in the Salton Trough with Remote Sensing Data. Poster Presentation at 2016 SCEC Annual Meeting.

Related Projects & Working Groups
Tectonic Geodesy