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

Dr. D. Sarah Stamps在马萨诸塞州理工学院期间获得了NSF地球科学博士后奖学金，以开展研究并开发GPS大地测量教育计划。该项目旨在确认和阐明驱动沿沿着东非裂谷（一个原型大陆裂谷系统）观察到的裂谷平行地表变形的动力学过程的起源。Stamps博士将（1）利用全球定位系统仪器在沿西分支和鲁夸河裂谷的沿着先前测量过的地点进行大地基准测量，在这些地点显示出裂谷平行变形，（2）利用自适应有限元技术测试裂谷平行变形的候选机制，这种技术可以解决各种空间尺度上的粘弹性和时间相关问题。证实东非裂谷沿着存在裂谷平行变形并确定其机制将使人们对裂谷作用过程有更全面的了解，使用全球定位系统作为监测活动变形的工具对提高对地震和火山灾害的认识至关重要。该项目支持制定一个GPS大地测量培训计划，旨在教育大学生用GPS观测毫米精度的地表运动。该试点项目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提供文件。

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.