Dimitar Ouzounov
Chapman University
USA
Title: Testing geospace technologies for alerting large earthquakes: An integrated approach of space and ground observations
Biography
Biography: Dimitar Ouzounov
Abstract
The most recent catastrophic earthquakes (Nepal 2015, Japan 2011, Haiti 2010, China 2009, Pakistan 2007 and Sumatra 2004) claimed thousands of lives and caused extensive economic losses in the affected region. The science community is seeking new ideas in the development of earthquake hazard mitigation scheme. We are proposing a scheme requiring interdisciplinary which has the latest Geo-space and remote sensing technology based on multi platform data observations. A new multi-sensory approach of analyzing atmospheric and ionospheric signals and the search for pre-earthquake physical phenomena, which is being developed using geospace sensing techniques and ground data segments. This new approach is still in an early stage of testing and is based on data fusion of satellite thermal observations (LEO, GEO) in conjunction with GPS/TEC (GNSS) and ground multi parameter (seismicity patterns, gas content) continuous measurements. The proposed methodology uses existing satellite sensors and ground observations in one integrated Sensor Web framework defined by the Lithosphere-Atmosphere-Ionosphere Coupling (LAIC) concept. Our initial test results show that simultaneous satellite and ground measurements, used as an integrated web, could provide earthquake short-term alert capabilities (several days) for major earthquakes by combining the information from multiple space born platforms. The significance of initial prospective testing of short-term alerts is discussed within the framework of the latest M7.9 earthquake in Nepal and major activities in 2012-14.