Near real-time radar interferometry of the Mw 7.1 Hector Mine Earthquake

The Hector Mine Earthquake (Mw 7.1, 16 October 1999) ruptured 45 km of prev iously mapped and unmapped faults in the Mojave Desert. The ERS-2 satellite imaged the Mojave Desert on 15 September and again on 20 October, just 4 d ays after the earthquake. Using a newly-developed ground station we acquire d both passes and were able to form an interferogram within 20 hours of the second overflight. Estimates of slip along the main rupture are 1-2 meters greater than slip derived from geological mapping. The gradient of the int erferometric phase reveals an interesting pattern of triggered slip on adja cent faults as well as a 30 mm deep sink hole along Interstate 40.