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 gmattioli@uta.edu