Earth tides, earthquake occurrence and earth deformation

An analysis of Earth deformation, earthquakes and tides has been undertaken<br/>using Earth tide and interferometric SAR data from ESA satellites. The ability<br/>of Earth tides to trigger earthquakes has been investigated by measuring the<br/>statistical relationship between earthquake occurrence and Earth tides.<br/>Analysing Earth tides data with earthquakes occurrence using Shuster’s test has<br/>shown that there is a correlation between Earth tides and earthquake<br/>occurrence. The significance of this correlation has been examined as a<br/>function of location, earthquake depth and magnitude. It has been found that<br/>the correlation is especially significant for low magnitude earthquakes. The two<br/>regions in California examined show similar correlations but significant<br/>differences in the phase angle of the correlation. Possible reasons for these<br/>differences and the role of ocean load tides are discussed in this thesis.<br/><br/>SAR data are used to detect the Earth displacement related to two recent<br/>earthquakes in the Californian area. InSAR technique has been applied<br/>successfully to the Bam earthquake in Iran in 2003. The results for Earth<br/>displacements in the Parkfield area are less satisfactory but a number of<br/>interference fringes over a wide area due to a particular earthquake have been<br/>observed.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Ph.D.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Southampton

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Kansowa, Tarek

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Tatnall, Adrian