Collaborative Research: Lowcost imaging and analysis of the August 24 2014 M60 South Napa California earthquake surface rupture (RAPID)

Collaborative Research: Lowcost imaging and analysis of the August 24 2014 M60 South Napa California earthquake surface rupture (RAPID) Collaborative Research: Low-cost imaging and analysis of the August 24, 2014 M6.0 South Napa California earthquake surface rupture (RAPID) Rapid collection of high-resolution imagery after an earthquake is essential in order to map surface ruptures before onset of degradation or repair, as well as to accurately deconvolve coseismic and post-seismic deformation. The distribution of coseismic slip and the presence and nature of after-slip are both fundamental to understanding fault-zone mechanics. Fortunately, recent advances in low-cost, aerial topographic imaging and differencing have given geologists the tools to collect and interpret sub-meter resolution imagery at unparalleled resolution and in record time. We propose to use aerial Structure from Motion (SfM) mapping and multi-temporal airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to map surface offsets and the off-fault, 3-dimensional (3-D) displacement field generated by from the 24 August 2014 MW 6.0 South Napa earthquake. This is the first ground-rupturing earthquake within the US since the advent of SfM mapping in the early 2010s and also the first with pre-event LiDAR coverage.