Geophysicists at KAUST are investigating the "doublet" earthquake phenomenon in Turkey, where two strong earthquakes of magnitude 7.8 and 7.7 occurred within nine hours of each other on separate faults. Researchers from the Crustal Deformation and InSAR Group and the Computational Earthquake Seismology research group are using satellite and seismic data to examine the earthquake rupture process. The National Center for Earthquake and Volcano monitoring (NCEV) of the Saudi Geological Survey contributes seismic recordings to the KAUST teams. Why it matters: Understanding such earthquake doublets is crucial for improving seismic hazard assessment and risk mitigation in the region and globally.
TII's DERC, in partnership with Brazilian firm RADAZ, has obtained the first microwave images from their joint project on Airborne Multi-band Interferometric Microwave Imaging (A(MI)2) in Abu Dhabi. The project uses a new multiband Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) operating in P, L, and C frequency bands to generate terrain images. The system, which can be mounted on commercial drones, also integrates Ground Penetrating Radar capability to detect buried objects. Why it matters: This technology enhances remote sensing capabilities in the region, enabling applications in agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, and search and rescue operations.
KAUST researchers analyzed 17 years of GPS data from 168 stations across the Arabian plate. They found the plate to be remarkably stable despite pressure from continental collision and plate breakup. The plate moves as a single block, and its motion relative to neighboring plates has likely remained unchanged for 13 million years. Why it matters: The study provides crucial insights into earthquake hazards and tectonic activity in the Arabian Peninsula, improving risk assessment and infrastructure planning.
Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has developed a drone-based Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) system capable of detecting underground water leaks at depths of up to 40 meters. The system uses P-, L-, and C-band radar signals to identify anomalies in soil moisture and subsurface disturbances. The SAR technology was previously validated for archaeology and infrastructure and is now optimized for sandy environments. Why it matters: This innovation offers a more efficient and sustainable method for monitoring infrastructure, reducing water loss and maintenance costs for utilities across the region.
Researchers from the Directed Energy Research Center (DERC) will present research papers at the 17th Workshop of the International Lithosphere Program Task Force on Sedimentary Basins in Abu Dhabi. Dr. Meixia Geng's study identifies potential geothermal exploration sites in the UAE based on Curie isotherm depths. Dr. Felix Vega's research demonstrates drone-borne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for subsurface mapping of underground cavities. Why it matters: These studies showcase the UAE's commitment to sustainable development through geothermal energy exploration and advanced subsurface imaging techniques.
This paper introduces a novel approach for monitoring and analyzing the evolution of complex geographic objects in satellite image time-series. The method uses a spatiotemporal graph and constraint satisfaction problems (CSP) to model and analyze object changes. Experiments on real-world satellite images from Saudi Arabian cities demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
A team from KAUST's Earth Science and Engineering program visited the site of the ongoing volcanic eruption in Iceland, which began in August 2014. Researchers monitored ground movements related to a collapsing structure near the eruption site using GPS instruments to measure vertical ground displacements. They aim to compare these measurements with satellite radar data to quantify volume changes before, during, and after the eruption. Why it matters: This study exemplifies the application of KAUST's earth science expertise to understanding and monitoring significant geological events, contributing to hazard assessment and risk management in volcanically active regions.
KAUST researchers from statistics and earth science collaborated to improve earthquake source modeling. They developed a statistical ranking tool to classify 2D fields, applicable to geoscience models like temperature or precipitation. The tool helps compare different 2D fields describing the earthquake source process and quantify inter-event variability. Why it matters: This cross-disciplinary approach enhances the reliability of earthquake rupture models, contributing to better hazard assessment and risk management in seismically active regions.