1. A Snapshot of New Zealand's Dynamic Deformation Field From Envisat InSAR and GNSS Observations Between 2003 and 2011.
- Author
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Hamling, Ian J., Wright, Tim J., Hreinsdóttir, Sigrun, and Wallace, Laura M.
- Subjects
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SYNTHETIC aperture radar , *SURFACE of the earth , *SEDIMENT compaction , *DEFORMATIONS (Mechanics) , *SEA level - Abstract
Measuring the deformation at the Earth's surface over a range of spatial and temporal scales is vital for understanding seismic hazard, detecting volcanic unrest, and assessing the effects of vertical land movements (VLMs) on sea level rise. Here, we combine ∼10 years of Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) observations from Envisat with interseismic campaign and continuous GNSS velocities to build a high‐resolution velocity field of New Zealand. Exploiting the horizontal GNSS observations, we estimate the vertical component of the deformation to provide the VLM for the entire 15,000‐km‐long coastline. The estimated vertical rates show large variability around the country as a result of volcanic, tectonic, and anthropogenic sources. Interseismic subsidence is observed in Kaikoura region supporting models of at least partial locking of the southern Hikurangi subduction interface. Despite data challenges in the mountainous regions from landslides, sediment compaction, and glaciers, InSAR data shows localized uplift of the Southern Alps. Plain Language Summary: Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data provides a method to measure the deformation of the Earth's surface at high spatial resolutions over large geographic footprints. Here we exploit historical SAR and GNSS data acquired over New Zealand between 2003 and 2011 to measure the nationwide surface velocities. With the combination of GNSS and InSAR data, we are able to estimate the vertical deformation for the entire country and provide a first estimate of the coastal vertical land movements which are a key data set for future projections of sea level rise. As a result of New Zealand's dynamic tectonic setting, there is large temporal and spatial variability around the country as a result of volcanic, tectonic, and anthropogenic processes. Key Points: Using Envisat InSAR and GNSS data, we derive a velocity field derived for New ZealandCombining InSAR and GNSS enables us to provide a nationwide estimate of the vertical deformation field for the first timeEstimated vertical rates show large variability around the country as a result of volcanic, tectonic, and anthropogenic sources [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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