Using Real Geodesy Data in Undergraduate Structural Geology and Geophysics Courses

June 19, 2014
Room TBD, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado
Limited to 20 participants

In conjunction with the 3rd Structural Geology and Tectonics Forum, an On the Cutting Edge - Professional Development for Geoscience Faculty event.

Instructor:
Vince Cronin, Baylor University, Vince_Croninbaylor.edu

A team of folks affiliated with UNAVCO and its member institutions has developed a flexible curricular module about infinitesimal/instantaneous crustal strain that utilizes GPS data that are published online by the EarthScope Plate Boundary Observatory.

The goals of this short course are (1) to teach folks how to use the velocity data from three non-colinear GPS sites to compute average crustal strain, (2) to present the associated curricular resources that we have developed, and (3) to discuss how these curricular resources might be adapted for use in structural geology, geophysics or tectonics courses.

Early tests at several universities have indicated that undergraduate students have been able to apply the crustal strain information they have computed, using GPS velocity data, to form a preliminary understanding of the interplay between tectonic setting, volcanism, active faulting and seismicity. Supplementary documents developed for this project enable students to apply (or learn) some mathematics and programming skills related to instantaneous strain analysis using GPS data. The development team is interested in spreading use of these resources, and is actively seeking feedback from students, teachers, and those with a research interest in GPS that will lead to future improvements.

Course Materials

GPS, Strain, and Earthquakes, now available through GETSI (GEodesy Tools for Societal Issues) website.

Last modified: 2019-12-24  01:25:51  America/Denver