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Post-seismic Deformation

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Global Dynamics of the Earth: Applications of Viscoelastic Relaxation Theory to Solid-Earth and Planetary Geophysics

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Abstract

This chapter deals with the mechanism of stress relaxation due to the viscous flow after the occurrence of an earthquake, leading to post-seismic deformation. We consider stress relaxation operating both in the Earth’s mantle or in the low viscosity layers of the crust. We elucidate the influence of lithospheric and mantle stratification on post-seismic deformation, both at the global scale and the the local scale. The aim is to provide a powerful tool for the interpretation of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) and GRACE data sampled at seismically active regions, where earthquakes occur within the plates or at their boundaries. Particular attention is devoted to some seismically active regions in the Mediterranean area, where we first discovered the signatures of post-seismic deformation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Geophysics, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Roberto Sabadini

  2. University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands

    Bert Vermeersen

  3. NIOZ/Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Bert Vermeersen

  4. University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Gabriele Cambiotti

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  1. Roberto Sabadini
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  2. Bert Vermeersen
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  3. Gabriele Cambiotti
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Correspondence to Roberto Sabadini .

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Sabadini, R., Vermeersen, B., Cambiotti, G. (2016). Post-seismic Deformation. In: Global Dynamics of the Earth: Applications of Viscoelastic Relaxation Theory to Solid-Earth and Planetary Geophysics. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-7552-6_8

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