Astrocast.TV

The Science Behind The Haiti Earthquake.

We take a closer look at the science behind the Haiti earthquake of 12th January 2009 – as well as other earthquakes. For the first time here on GSGE we interview leading experts;

Prof. Timothy Dixon from Geodesy Lab at University of Miami: published an article already back in 1998 revealing the risks of earthquakes in Haiti. He works with both Paul Mann from University of Texas who in 2008 confirmed that the risks were eminent, and Eric Calais, Purdue University who manages the GPS network that monitor tectonic plate movements in Haiti. These three groups have sent geodesists with GPS equipment, to Haiti where they gather data that will reveal the crustal movements caused by the quake. You can follow this National Science Foundation funded team via their blog.

Ass. Prof. William Hammond from University of Nevada in Reno: Explains how they use GPS to monitor plate movements – and earthquake swarms. Bill Hammond also appears in National Geographic’s Naked Science: Earthquake Swarms.

Dr. Amir Kaynia from the International Centre for Geohazards in Oslo, Norway: Talks about the difference between predictions and early warning and discuss other geohazards connected to earthquakes.

Read more about the early warning and mitigation aspects in The Haiti Earthquake: Science, early warning and mitigation.

Some useful and informative links:

National Science Foundation’s GPS team blog from Haiti:

GEO’s Haiti Supersite. Collection of Haiti earthquake science information.

Eric Calais’s Haiti site. (responsible for the tectonic plate movements Haitian GPS network together with local Haitian authorities).

Haiti Earthquake at University of Miami

Haiti Earthquake at University of Texas.

The International Centre for Geohazards:

The Global Geodetic Observing System (GPS is a space-based geodetic technique. Provision of global GPS data is one of the services of Global Geodetic Observing System)