A PROPOSAL FOR A CARIBBEAN PLATE

BOUNDARY OBSERVATORY

A PROPOSAL FOR A CARIBBEAN PLATE

BOUNDARY OBSERVATORY

GLEN S. MATTIOLI 1, SIMON R. YOUNG 2, BARRY VOIGHT 2

1 - Department of Geosciences, University of Arkansas2 - Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University

GLEN S. MATTIOLI 1, SIMON R. YOUNG 2, BARRY VOIGHT 2

1 - Department of Geosciences, University of Arkansas2 - Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University

AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgments NSF CANAPE Research Group: E. Calais, C.

DeMets, T. Dixon, P. Jansma, and P. Mann

NSF-NERC CALIPSO Research Group: D. Elsworth, A. Linde, P. Malin, S. Sacks, E. Shalev, S. Sparks, and L. Nueberg

The Montserrat Volcano Observatory: P. Dunkley, R. Herd, and G. Norton

NSF REU Students: B. Blessing, J. Mischler, J. McBee, R. Davidson, J. Parra, L. Roberts

UARK/UPRM/RSMAS/PSU Graduate Students: P. LaFemina, D. Hydiat, A. Lopez, S. Matson, A. Stone, H. Turner, L. Van Boskirk, H. Rodriguez, L. Rodriguez

Others: A. Eby (UPRM), K. Fitzgibbon (UARK), A. Smith (CSUSB)

NSF CANAPE Research Group: E. Calais, C. DeMets, T. Dixon, P. Jansma, and P. Mann

NSF-NERC CALIPSO Research Group: D. Elsworth, A. Linde, P. Malin, S. Sacks, E. Shalev, S. Sparks, and L. Nueberg

The Montserrat Volcano Observatory: P. Dunkley, R. Herd, and G. Norton

NSF REU Students: B. Blessing, J. Mischler, J. McBee, R. Davidson, J. Parra, L. Roberts

UARK/UPRM/RSMAS/PSU Graduate Students: P. LaFemina, D. Hydiat, A. Lopez, S. Matson, A. Stone, H. Turner, L. Van Boskirk, H. Rodriguez, L. Rodriguez

Others: A. Eby (UPRM), K. Fitzgibbon (UARK), A. Smith (CSUSB)

Outline of TalkOutline of Talk Introduction

Motivation and Background Scientific Goals

Survey of Existing Resources Issues of Coordination and Data Sharing

Some Regional Science Snapshots Recent Improvements in Infrastructure

MVO/CALIPSO Partnership Estimated Needs for Caribbean PBO

New Instrumentation Costs and Possible Funding Sources

Introduction Motivation and Background Scientific Goals

Survey of Existing Resources Issues of Coordination and Data Sharing

Some Regional Science Snapshots Recent Improvements in Infrastructure

MVO/CALIPSO Partnership Estimated Needs for Caribbean PBO

New Instrumentation Costs and Possible Funding Sources

EarthScope SummaryEarthScope Summary What is EarthScope?

Funded by National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation Account.

~$350 M over 10 year period starting in FY03. Additional funding possible with future NASA contribution for geophysical InSAR satellite.

• EarthScope is a bold undertaking to apply modern observational, analytical and telecommunications technologies to investigate the structure and evolution of the North American continent and the physical processes controlling earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

• Major Instrumentation Components of EarthScope• Plate Boundary Observatory: High spatial resolution

array of continuous GPS sites and borehole strainmeters• USArray: Transportable array of broadband

seismometers• SAFOD: Deep drilling through seismogenic zone of the

San Andreas Fault Zone with core recovery and sonde installation

What is EarthScope? Funded by National Science Foundation Major Research

Instrumentation Account. ~$350 M over 10 year period starting in FY03.

Additional funding possible with future NASA contribution for geophysical InSAR satellite.

• EarthScope is a bold undertaking to apply modern observational, analytical and telecommunications technologies to investigate the structure and evolution of the North American continent and the physical processes controlling earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

• Major Instrumentation Components of EarthScope• Plate Boundary Observatory: High spatial resolution

array of continuous GPS sites and borehole strainmeters• USArray: Transportable array of broadband

seismometers• SAFOD: Deep drilling through seismogenic zone of the

San Andreas Fault Zone with core recovery and sonde installation

Source: http://www.earthscope.org

US Plate Boundary Observatory• Geodetic quality GPS

receivers (Trimble NetRS)• Dorne-Margolin Choke

Ring antenna• SCIGN-type monuments• Real time data acquisition

(some sites at 1 Hz; most at 30 s sync rate)

• Incorporates existing CGPS networks

• Borehole strainmeters

Source: http://www.earthscope.org

Instrumental Characteristics

NB different instruments can access different zoneswithin the overall strain field of the plate boundary.

Source: http://www.earthscope.org

Major Science Objectives of US PBOMajor Science Objectives of US PBO

What are the forces that drive plate-boundary deformation?

What determines the spatial distribution of plate-boundary deformation?

How has plate-boundary deformation evolved? What controls the space-time pattern of

earthquake occurrence? How do earthquakes nucleate? What are the dynamics of magma rise,

intrusion, and eruption? How can we reduce the hazards of

earthquakes and volcanic eruptions?

What are the forces that drive plate-boundary deformation?

What determines the spatial distribution of plate-boundary deformation?

How has plate-boundary deformation evolved? What controls the space-time pattern of

earthquake occurrence? How do earthquakes nucleate? What are the dynamics of magma rise,

intrusion, and eruption? How can we reduce the hazards of

earthquakes and volcanic eruptions?

Source: http://www.earthscope.org

Important Issues Specific to a Caribbean

PBO Important Issues Specific to a Caribbean

PBO Caribbean-North American/-South American/-Cocos relative plate motions are generally slower than Pacific-North American motion. Geodetic measurements are less precise over generally

short funding cycles (3-5 years). Long repose intervals of magmatic/volcanic systems limits

targets of opportunity for coordinated study.

Lesser Antilles arc is an ocean-ocean convergent environment, while Cascades arc is ocean-continent. Crustal structure, fabric and composition are different,

which may affect deformation mechanisms and magmatic pathways.

Tectonic deformation zone spans over 25 international political entities including sovereign nations, dependent territories, Commonwealths, and Departments. Field work, data access and coordination are often

difficult.

Caribbean-North American/-South American/-Cocos relative plate motions are generally slower than Pacific-North American motion. Geodetic measurements are less precise over generally

short funding cycles (3-5 years). Long repose intervals of magmatic/volcanic systems limits

targets of opportunity for coordinated study.

Lesser Antilles arc is an ocean-ocean convergent environment, while Cascades arc is ocean-continent. Crustal structure, fabric and composition are different,

which may affect deformation mechanisms and magmatic pathways.

Tectonic deformation zone spans over 25 international political entities including sovereign nations, dependent territories, Commonwealths, and Departments. Field work, data access and coordination are often

difficult.

Specific Scientific Questions for a Caribbean Plate Boundary Observatory

Specific Scientific Questions for a Caribbean Plate Boundary Observatory What determines the spatial distribution of Caribbean

plate-boundary deformation? Needed: Higher spatial density and increased distribution

of CGPS sites. What controls the space-time pattern of plate margin

and intraplate and interplate earthquake occurrence? Needed: Higher spatial density and increased distribution

of broadband seismometer sites. What are the dynamics of magma rise, intrusion, and

eruption? Needed: Arrays of CGPS with borehole strainmeters and

seismometers on all potentially active volcanoes. How can we reduce the Caribbean regional hazards of

earthquakes and volcanic eruptions? Needed: Increased scientific data integration combined

with improved community outreach and education.

What determines the spatial distribution of Caribbean plate-boundary deformation? Needed: Higher spatial density and increased distribution

of CGPS sites. What controls the space-time pattern of plate margin

and intraplate and interplate earthquake occurrence? Needed: Higher spatial density and increased distribution

of broadband seismometer sites. What are the dynamics of magma rise, intrusion, and

eruption? Needed: Arrays of CGPS with borehole strainmeters and

seismometers on all potentially active volcanoes. How can we reduce the Caribbean regional hazards of

earthquakes and volcanic eruptions? Needed: Increased scientific data integration combined

with improved community outreach and education.

Caribbean

epicenters < 30 km depth from USGS

circum-Caribbean seismicity (defines plate)

Population at Risk for Natural Hazards

11.3 M

2.7 M

0.3 M

16.5 M

3.9 M

2.0 M

1.1 M

25 M42 M3.0 M4.0 M

5.4 M

6.8 M

6.6 M

Total = 130 MSource: CIA Factbook

Survey of Existing Geophysical Resources

Survey of Existing Geophysical Resources

Greater Antilles - Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, British and US Virgin Islands 14 continuous GPS sites (only 7 available in real time; 4 IGS) 45 short period seismometers (single and 3 component) 13 digital broadband instruments (PR only) 16 strong motion instruments (PR and DR)

Institutions: DRSN, UPRM, UWI, UARK, NOAA, and IGS

Eastern Caribbean - Lesser Antilles and Trinidad 12 continuous GPS sites (10 in Montserrat; 1 IGS) 74 short period seismometers (single and 3 component) 6 digital broadband instruments (Montserrat only) 0 strong motion instruments 4 single component borehole strainmeters (Montserrat only)

Institutions: SRU, IPGP, MVO, UARK, IGS, and CALIPSO

Greater Antilles - Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, British and US Virgin Islands 14 continuous GPS sites (only 7 available in real time; 4 IGS) 45 short period seismometers (single and 3 component) 13 digital broadband instruments (PR only) 16 strong motion instruments (PR and DR)

Institutions: DRSN, UPRM, UWI, UARK, NOAA, and IGS

Eastern Caribbean - Lesser Antilles and Trinidad 12 continuous GPS sites (10 in Montserrat; 1 IGS) 74 short period seismometers (single and 3 component) 6 digital broadband instruments (Montserrat only) 0 strong motion instruments 4 single component borehole strainmeters (Montserrat only)

Institutions: SRU, IPGP, MVO, UARK, IGS, and CALIPSO

Existing Geophysical Resources, con’t.Existing Geophysical Resources, con’t.

South America - Venezuela and Columbia 1 continuous GPS sites (IGS) 52 short period seismometers (single and 3 component) 3 digital broadband instruments 42 strong motion instruments

Institutions: FUNVISIS,INGEOMINAS, and IGS

Central America - Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras 4 continuous GPS sites (IGS) 73 short period seismometers (single and 3 component) 2 digital broadband instruments 19 strong motion instruments (Nicaragua only)

Institutions: INETER, OVSICORI-UNA, ChiriNet, and IGS

South America - Venezuela and Columbia 1 continuous GPS sites (IGS) 52 short period seismometers (single and 3 component) 3 digital broadband instruments 42 strong motion instruments

Institutions: FUNVISIS,INGEOMINAS, and IGS

Central America - Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras 4 continuous GPS sites (IGS) 73 short period seismometers (single and 3 component) 2 digital broadband instruments 19 strong motion instruments (Nicaragua only)

Institutions: INETER, OVSICORI-UNA, ChiriNet, and IGS

INETER(Nicaragua)

OVSICORI(Costa Rica)

SRU-UWI

Caribbean Regional Seismic Networks - I

UPRM (PRVI)

INGEOMINAS(Columbia)

FUNVISIS (Venezuela)

Regional Networks - II

Summary of Regional ResourcesSummary of Regional Resources

31 continuous GPS sites (10 Montserrat)

244 short period seismometers 24 digital broadband instruments 38 strong motion instruments 4 single component borehole

strainmeters (all in Montserrat) NO CENTRAL DATA ARCHIVE

31 continuous GPS sites (10 Montserrat)

244 short period seismometers 24 digital broadband instruments 38 strong motion instruments 4 single component borehole

strainmeters (all in Montserrat) NO CENTRAL DATA ARCHIVE

Caribbean Neotectonics: Science Snapshots

Caribbean Neotectonics: Science Snapshots

Definition of Caribbean plate motion from GPS

Interseismic and intervolcanic deformation in the NE Caribbean

Forearc sliver definition and migration in Nicaragua

Long Term cyclic edifice deformation at Soufriere Hills volcano, Montserrat

Definition of Caribbean plate motion from GPS

Interseismic and intervolcanic deformation in the NE Caribbean

Forearc sliver definition and migration in Nicaragua

Long Term cyclic edifice deformation at Soufriere Hills volcano, Montserrat

Regional GPS Field and CA Frame

Source: DeMets et al., 2000; Mann et al., 2002

best fit NOAM-CARIB rate

• twice as fast as NUVEL-1A• azimuth ~N70°E at PR

~19 mm/yrENE azimuth

GPS-defined CA Reference Frame

GPS-defined CA Reference Frame

Problems: Too few sites and geographic distribution is

poor. Time series is still too short (noise remains

significant) for key sites (AVES). Solutions:

Additional CA reference frame sites in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Lesser Antilles. Many of these sites remain immature and do not yet contribute significantly to the latest realization of the CA frame (DeMets et al., unpublished).

CA-PBO would help here. Additional occupations for key sites (e.g. AVES -

last occupied in 1998!).

Problems: Too few sites and geographic distribution is

poor. Time series is still too short (noise remains

significant) for key sites (AVES). Solutions:

Additional CA reference frame sites in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Lesser Antilles. Many of these sites remain immature and do not yet contribute significantly to the latest realization of the CA frame (DeMets et al., unpublished).

CA-PBO would help here. Additional occupations for key sites (e.g. AVES -

last occupied in 1998!).

CA Residual Velocities NE Caribbean

Nicaragua Forearc Sliver Motion & Models

Forearc translation does not requirehigh kinematic coupling along plateinterface in Nicaragua. 3 fault models are not sufficient to fit GPS data.

Source: Turner, 2002; Turner et al., 2003

<-Dome Growth

Explosions ->

<- Subsidence

No Surface Flux

Inflation ->

RenewedDome

Growth

SubsidenceAgain! ->

Neotectonic/Volcanic SummaryNeotectonic/Volcanic Summary

Caribbean Reference Frame still needs refinement for detailed examination of plate boundary and inter-volcanic processes.

Residual velocities in the NE Caribbean are too large to be simply the result of elastic strain accumulation along the trench interface. Other processes must also be considered (e.g. volcanic edifice failure).

Rapid forearc translation is observed in Nicaragua. High kinematic coupling is not required.

SHV shows strongly non-linear deformation correlated with surface magma flux.

Caribbean Reference Frame still needs refinement for detailed examination of plate boundary and inter-volcanic processes.

Residual velocities in the NE Caribbean are too large to be simply the result of elastic strain accumulation along the trench interface. Other processes must also be considered (e.g. volcanic edifice failure).

Rapid forearc translation is observed in Nicaragua. High kinematic coupling is not required.

SHV shows strongly non-linear deformation correlated with surface magma flux.

CALIPSO Borehole Instrumentation

CALIPSO Borehole Instrumentation

Sacks-Evertson single component dilatometer (10-9 strain)

Nearly broadband 3 component seismometer (~2 Hz to 1 kHz)

Pinnacle Systems short-baseline electronic tiltmeter

Ashtech µ-Z code-phase CGPS w/ choke ring antenna

See EOS Feature on August 24th, 2004 for details.

Sacks-Evertson single component dilatometer (10-9 strain)

Nearly broadband 3 component seismometer (~2 Hz to 1 kHz)

Pinnacle Systems short-baseline electronic tiltmeter

Ashtech µ-Z code-phase CGPS w/ choke ring antenna

See EOS Feature on August 24th, 2004 for details.

CALIPSO Borehole Sites

July 13, 2003 SHV Dome Collapse

Borehole strainmeter recorded signals from deep (magma chamber) and near surface processes (pyroclastic flow-generated tsunamis). Detailed modeling is progress as data set is unprecedented.

>120 M m3 (historical record) collapsed over 6 hrs

Proposed Caribbean PBO Wish ListProposed Caribbean PBO Wish List

Improve GPS infrastructure throughout the region. Need approximate spacing of 25 km and 2 sites per volcano (min). Estimated number of sites is 100 @ $25K/site for a total of $2.5 M. Possible.

Improve broadband seismic backbone. Estimated number of sites is 40 @ $25K/site for a total of $1.0 M. Possible.

Install 3-site arrays of borehole strain, seismometer, and tilt on all potentially active volcanoes. Estimated number of sites is 90 @ $100K/site for a total of $9.0 M. Unlikely due to cost.

Development of a regional data and education and outreach center. Estimated cost of $1.0 M. Could be coordinated through IRIS, UNAVCO, MIDAS or other prominent regional institutions. Possible.

Improve GPS infrastructure throughout the region. Need approximate spacing of 25 km and 2 sites per volcano (min). Estimated number of sites is 100 @ $25K/site for a total of $2.5 M. Possible.

Improve broadband seismic backbone. Estimated number of sites is 40 @ $25K/site for a total of $1.0 M. Possible.

Install 3-site arrays of borehole strain, seismometer, and tilt on all potentially active volcanoes. Estimated number of sites is 90 @ $100K/site for a total of $9.0 M. Unlikely due to cost.

Development of a regional data and education and outreach center. Estimated cost of $1.0 M. Could be coordinated through IRIS, UNAVCO, MIDAS or other prominent regional institutions. Possible.

SummarySummary A modest investment of $4.5 M (w/o borehole

instruments) and $13.5 M (with BH) would greatly enhance geophysical infrastructure in the Caribbean.

This would be a starting point for increased scientific collaboration among the wide number of existing institutions active in the Caribbean.

Funding would have to be cost-shared by US, EU, and regional institutions.

IGC or some other international organization (e.g. IAVCEI or IASPEI) may want to consider a workshop to generate community input and gauge the level of support for such a venture.

A modest investment of $4.5 M (w/o borehole instruments) and $13.5 M (with BH) would greatly enhance geophysical infrastructure in the Caribbean.

This would be a starting point for increased scientific collaboration among the wide number of existing institutions active in the Caribbean.

Funding would have to be cost-shared by US, EU, and regional institutions.

IGC or some other international organization (e.g. IAVCEI or IASPEI) may want to consider a workshop to generate community input and gauge the level of support for such a venture.