EAR-PF: An Investigation of Continental Rift-Parallel Deformation

萨拉·斯坦普斯博士在麻省理工学院期间获得了NSF地球科学博士后奖学金，负责开展GPS大地测量教育项目的研究和开发。该项目旨在确认和阐明沿东非裂谷--一个典型的大陆裂谷系统观察到的驱动裂谷--平行地表变形的动力过程的起源。Stamps博士将(1)利用全球定位系统(GPS)仪器在西支和鲁克瓦裂谷(Rukwa Rift)沿线先前测量到的显示裂谷平行变形的地点占据大地基准，(2)利用自适应有限元技术测试裂谷平行变形的候选机制，该技术可以在各种空间尺度上解决粘弹性和时间依赖性问题。证实东非裂谷是否存在裂谷平行变形并确定其形成机制(S)将有助于更全面地了解裂谷作用过程。利用全球定位系统作为监测活动变形的工具，对于增进对地震和火山灾害的认识至关重要。该项目支持开发全球定位系统大地测量培训方案，旨在教育大学生使用全球定位系统观测毫米精度的地表运动。该试点计划将在马达加斯加的塔那那利佛大学实施，并为发展中国家和美国未来的GPS大地测量能力建设工作做好记录。

Dr. D. Sarah Stamps has been awarded an NSF Earth Science Postdoctoral Fellowship to conduct research and develop a GPS geodesy education program while at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This project aims to confirm and elucidate the origin of the dynamic processes driving rift-parallel surface deformation observed along the East African Rift, an archetype continental rift system. Dr. Stamps will (1) occupy geodetic benchmarks with Global Positioning System (GPS) instruments at previously measured sites along the Western Branch and Rukwa Rift where rift-parallel deformation is indicated, and (2) test candidate mechanisms for rift-parallel deformation using an adaptive finite element technique that can solve viscoelastic and time-dependent problems at various spatial scales. Verifying the existence of rift-parallel deformation along the East African Rift and determining the responsible mechanism(s) will provide a more complete understanding of rifting processes.The use of GPS as a tool for monitoring active deformation is vital for advancing knowledge of seismic and volcanic hazards. This project supports the development of a GPS geodesy training program aimed at educating university students to observe millimeter precision surface motions with GPS. The pilot program will be implemented at the University of Antananarivo, Madagascar and documented for future GPS geodesy capacity building efforts in developing countries and within the US.