Near real-time radar interferometry of the Mw 7.1 Hector Mine Earthquake

The Hector Mine Earthquake (Mw 7.1, 16 Oc- tober 1999) ruptured 45 km of previously mapped and un- mapped faults in the Mojave Desert. The ERS-2 satellite imagedtheMojaveDeserton15Septemberandagain on20 October, just 4 days after the earthquake. Using a newly- developed ground station we acquired both passes and were able to form an interferogram within 20 hours of the second overflight. Estimates of slip along the main rupture are 1-2 meters greater than slip derived from geological mapping. The gradient of the interferometric phase reveals an inter- esting pattern of triggered slip on adjacent faults as well as a 30 mm deep sink hole along Interstate 40.