Improvement of the separability of a survey scheme for monitoring crustal deformations in the area of an active fault

 Monitoring of the crustal movements along a tectonic fault is of particular importance in the study of the mechanism of an earthquake. There are several techniques to gauge crustal deformations, including terrestrial survey methods, space-positioning techniques and permanently installed geotechnical instruments. Each technique or method has its own advantages and limitations. Integration of the various techniques into a monitoring scheme is recommended. It is discussed how a proper integrated system can significantly improve the separability of a monitoring scheme at little additional expense. Separability is the ability of a monitoring scheme to distinguish among potential deformation models, and can be used for the optimum design of monitoring schemes. Discussion concentrates on the separability between a dislocation model and a rigid movement model in the area of an active fault. The addition of a few strain observations to a conventional terrestrial survey scheme can better distinguish between the above-mentioned models. A simulated example is presented to demonstrate the idea. Received: 4 November 1997 / Accepted: 9 July 2001