HR: 0830h
AN: V51J-0400 [PDF]
TI: Analysis of mud volcanoes on the Absheron Peninsula, Azerbaijan using InSAR
AU: * Mellors, R J
EM: rmellors@geology.sdsu.edu
AF: Department of Geological Sciences, 5500 Campanile Dr
San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182 United States
AU: Panahi, B
EM: bpanahi@gia.ab.az
AF: Geological Institute of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences
H.Javid av.29A, Baku, AZ1143
Azerbaijan
AB:
A set of Synthetic Aperture Radar data covering the Absheron Peninsula is processed using interferometry (InSAR) to generate
a detailed digital elevation map of the region and to measure possible surface deformations. The dataset includes five ERS-1
and ERS-2 scenes from 1996 though 1999 centered near Baku and 8 Radarsat images from 1999. The radar has a wavelength of 5.66
cm allowing theoretical resolution along the line of sight of the satellite of surface deformations on the order of mm to
cm. Sources of potential surface deformation are recent earthquakes, mud volcanism, groundwater changes, and hydrocarbon
withdrawal. We also use optical satellite images (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection - ASTER) in addition to
ground truth data. Initial InSAR processing used a digital elevation model (DEM) based on the combination of a global DEM
with a high resolution DEM based on ASTER stereo optical data. This DEM was then refined with radar pairs possessing short
temporal baselines. Correlation over the area was fair with moderate to low correlation over a time period of 2 years.
Preliminary results using the initial DEM show no clear indications ($>10$ cm line-of-sight) of deformation over known mud
volcanoes. Modeling of likely fluid movement associated with the mud volcanoes indicates that the lack of observed signal
places constraints on the depth of increased pressure and chamber size. Modeling of the two large (Mw 6.8 and 6.5)
earthquakes near Baku in November 2000 using global catalog locations and focal mechanisms indicates that the deformation
from these events should be observable onshore using InSAR.
DE: 1206 Crustal movements--interplate (8155)
DE: 1242 Seismic deformations (7205)
DE: 1243 Space geodetic surveys
SC: Volcanology, Geochemistry, Petrology [V]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting