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WHY?
An
interest in the strain distribution and slip rates among major active
faults in the Caribbean and Central and South America has driven much
research in recent years. Information on these relationships is critical
for a better understanding of the dynamics of plate boundary zones and
of the seismic threat posed by active faults in these and other zones.
HOW?
Our
team chose to address these issues using Global Positioning System (GPS)
measurements. The GPS is a space geodetic technique based on a constellation
of 24 satellites that continuously broadcast radio signal on two frequencies
in the L-band. Using antennas and receivers set up on geodetic benchmarks
to collect data on those two frequencies, it is possible to compute
distances between the different sites within a regional network with
an accuracy of about 2 to 3 millimeters.
WHAT PARAMETERS?
Repeated
measurements every year of a network that covers a region of active
deformation therefore allows the direct estimation of site displacements
and network strain for typical rates of crustal deformation (a
few millimeters to a few centimeters per year).
WHERE?
In
collaboration with several universities, researchers, and organizations,
such networks have been installed and data has been collected in Puerto
Rico, Nicaragua, Montserrat, Lesser Antilles and the Dominican Republic.
Plans for future areas of study are forethcoming.
HOW DO I GET DATA?
This
website is designed to host project information and to give access to
some network data. Security procedures for most data do apply, and in
most cases data is available only to collaboraters (see Data
Policy).
Keep watching
for future projects and data!
To report
site problems email mattioli@uark.edu
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