GEODYNAMICS BRANCH

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GEODYNAMICS BRANCH SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS -
DECEMBER 2001
Approved DDF Study Tied to Global Earthquake
Satellite System Lowman and Yates successfully
propose study of intraplate seismicity based on
their Digital Tectonic Activity Map
A DDF proposal to focus attention on intraplate
seismic activity has been won by Paul Lowman and
Jacob Yates. One impetus for this proposal is
the Global Earthquake Satellite System (GESS)
initiative which is looking at InSAR and other
remote sensing techniques for monitoring
crustal motion related to earthquakes. The
current study builds on a Digital Tectonic
Activity Map produced by Lowman Yates under a
previous DDF.
Objectives of the DDF Study Provide a
comprehensive global picture of intraplate
earthquake epicenters Clarify relations
between seismic activity, lithospheric stress,
plate motion, and regional tectonic structure
Highlight active or potentially active
intraplate areas worthy of study by a Global
Earthquake Satellite System Produce maps
and reports on the above for the scientific and
educational communities
Northern hemisphere projection of the Earth
showing volcanic centers (red) active in the last
1 million years and earthquake epicenters (black)
for magnitudes gt 3.5 between 1963 and 1998.
Although most seismicity is associated with plate
boundaries, substantial and significant
earthquake activity does occur within the
interiors of plates. Figure derived from A
Digital Tectonic Activity Map by P.D Lowman and
J. Yates.
Contact Paul Lowman, GSFC, Code 921
(lowman_at_core2.gsfc.nasa.gov)