Parameters of seismic source as deduced from 1 Hz ionospheric GPS data: Case study of the 2011 Tohoku‐oki event. Issue 9 (19th September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Astafyeva, E.; Rolland, L.; Lognonné, P.; Khelfi, K.; Yahagi, T.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 118:Issue 9(2013:Sep.)
• Page Start: 5942
• Page End: 5950
• Publication Date: 2013-09-19
• Subjects: co‐seismic ionospheric disturbances -- GPS -- TEC -- Tohoku‐oki earthquake -- ionospheric images of seismic fault; Magnetospheric physics -- Periodicals; Space environment -- Periodicals; Cosmic physics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Atmospheres -- Periodicals; Heliosphere (Astrophysics) -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 523.01
• DOI: 10.1002/jgra.50556
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9380

Abstract

Abstract: [1] Following the first‐time ionospheric imaging of a seismic fault, here we perform a case study on retrieval of parameters of the extended seismic source ruptured during the great M9.0 Tohoku‐oki earthquake. Using 1 Hz ionospheric GPS data from the Japanese network of GPS receivers (GEONET) and several GPS satellites, we analyze spatiotemporal characteristics of coseismic ionospheric perturbations and we obtain information on the dimensions and location of the sea surface uplift (seismic source). We further assess the criterion for the successful determination of seismic parameters from the ionosphere: the detection is possible when the line of sights from satellites to receivers cross the ionosphere above the seismic fault region. Besides, we demonstrate that the multisegment structure of the seismic fault of the Tohoku‐oki earthquake can be seen in high‐rate ionospheric GPS data. Overall, our results show that, under certain conditions, ionospheric GPS‐derived TEC measurements could complement the currently working systems, or independent ionospherically based system might be developed in the future. Key Points: Parameters of seismic source can be deduced from 1Hz ionospheric GPS data Ionosphere can visualize a multi‐segment structure of a seismic fault CID velocity ~1.4 km/s points on either shock waves, or acoustic waves in water