New Satellite Observations May Spare Haiti Another Disaster
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 - 15:35
in Earth & Climate
University of Miami geologists have analyzed images based on Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) observations taken before and after Haiti's devastating January 12 earthquake. The images reveal surprising new details that may help the island better mitigate future earthquakes. According to the new data, the earthquake rupture did not reach the surface--unusual for an earthquake this size. More importantly, the images confirm that only the western half of the fault segment that last ruptured in 1751 actually ruptured in the current earthquake. "We're still waiting for the other shoe to drop," said Tim Dixon, professor of geology and geophysics at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine&Atmospheric Science. read more