Abstract
The coseismic displacement field on the Earth's surface associated with the Western Tottori Prefecture Earthquake (October 6, 2000) was mapped by spaceborne C-band SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) interferometry. We obtained the interferogram from two SAR scenes before and after the earthquake (September 17 and October 11, 2000, respectively) acquired by RADARSAT. We successfully detected not only the coseismic displacement field associated with the main shock on Oct. 6 but also the one associated with the sub-event on Oct. 8. C-band SAR interferometry is effective even on the flat or moderate terrain covered with vegetation in Japan.
We confirmed that the observed displacement field is consistent with the calculated field by the fault model that is constructed based on geodetic and seismic data. Complex fringe pattern associate with local deformation can be seen in Yumigahama Peninsula sand bar. Remarkable decorrelations in the interferogram may indicate occurrence of subsurface liquefaction along the coastal region. These findings strongly suggested the potential of spaceborne C-band SAR interferometry for seismic hazard monitoring in Japan.
