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A snapshot of New Zealand's dynamic deformation field from Envisat InSAR and GNSS observations between 2003 and 2011
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  • Ian James Hamling,
  • Tim J. Wright,
  • Sigrún Hreinsdóttir,
  • Laura Wallace
Ian James Hamling
GNS Science

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Tim J. Wright
University of Leeds
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Sigrún Hreinsdóttir
GNS Science
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Laura Wallace
GNS Science
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Abstract

Measuring the deformation at the Earth’s surface over a range of spatial and temporal scales is vital for understanding seismic hazard, detecting volcanic unrest and assessing the effects of vertical land movements on sea level rise. Here, we combine ~10 years of InSAR observations from Envisat with interseismic campaign and continuous GNSS velocities to build a high-resolution velocity field of New Zealand. Exploiting the horizontal GNSS observations, we estimate the vertical component of the deformation to provide the vertical land movement (VLM) for the entire 15,000 km-long coastline. The estimated vertical rates show large variability around the country as a result of volcanic, tectonic and anthropogenic sources. Interseismic subsidence is observed in Kaikoura region supporting models of at least partial locking of the southern Hikurangi subduction interface. Despite data challenges in the mountainous regions from landslides, sediment compaction and glaciers, InSAR data shows localised uplift of the Southern Alps.
28 Jan 2022Published in Geophysical Research Letters volume 49 issue 2. 10.1029/2021GL096465