Abstract
A wide range of satellite methods is applied now in seismology. The first applications of satellite data for earthquake exploration were initiated in the ‘70s, when active faults were mapped on satellite images. It was a pure and simple extrapolation of airphoto geological interpretation methods into space. The modern embodiment of this method is alignment analysis. Time series of alignments on the Earth's surface are investigated before and after the earthquake. A further application of satellite data in seismology is related with geophysical methods. Electromagnetic methods have about the same long history of application for seismology. Stable statistical estimations of ionosphere-lithosphere relation were obtained based on satellite ionozonds. The most successful current project "DEMETER" shows impressive results. Satellite thermal infra-red data were applied for earthquake research in the next step. Numerous results have confirmed previous observations of thermal anomalies on the Earth's surface prior to earthquakes. A modern trend is the application of the outgoing long-wave radiation for earthquake research. In ‘80s a new technology—satellite radar interferometry—opened a new page. Spectacular pictures of co-seismic deformations were presented. Current researches are moving in the direction of pre-earthquake deformation detection. GPS technology is also widely used in seismology both for ionosphere sounding and for ground movement detection. Satellite gravimetry has demonstrated its first very impressive results on the example of the catastrophic Indonesian earthquake in 2004. Relatively new applications of remote sensing for seismology as atmospheric sounding, gas observations, and cloud analysis are considered as possible candidates for applications.
Highlights
Remote sensing has been used for earthquake research from the ‘70s, with the first appearance of satellite images
Total electron content (TEC) is one the main parameters studied in relation with earthquakes [6]
This review of modern remote sensing techniques in seismology demonstrates the following: (1) remote sensing methods are being broadly used for earthquake research; (2) a wide spectra of remote sensing methods are applied—from optical sensors to radar systems; (3) the list of parameters studied by remote sensing are: surface deformation, surface temperature, various heat fluxes on the Earth’s and top clouds surfaces and some others; (4) future development of remote sensing application for earthquakes related with new directions: L-band radar systems, highresolution microwave radiometers, gas analyzers; (5) we will probably again approach an epoch of
Summary
Remote sensing has been used for earthquake research from the ‘70s, with the first appearance of satellite images. Active faults and structures were mapped on the base of satellite images This method is very limited in time series analysis. The current situation of remote sensing application for earthquake research indicates a few phenomena, related with earthquakes, the Earth's surface deformation, surface temperature and humidity, atmosphere temperature and humidity, gas and aerosol content. Both horizontal and vertical deformations scaled from tens of centimeters to meters are recorded after the shock. The spatial resolution and sensitivity of modern systems restricts the application of satellite gas observation in seismology and the first promising results have been obtained only for ozone, aerosol and air humidity.
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