Earth and Planetary Sciences ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-10-2024

Abstract

The Valles caldera is a rhyolitic “supervolcano” formed 1.231 Ma. An understanding of whether Valles caldera is currently deforming is needed to inform volcanic hazard estimates for northern New Mexico and will allow for a better understanding of the hazards presented by other rhyolitic caldera systems. Here, we present an InSAR time series of the Valles Caldera using 37 interferograms, spanning 2014 to 2022, which show a small but consistent signal of broad pattern subsidence/yr. We also present GNSS observations from a survey conducted in October 2022 and compare the results to surveys in 2002 and 2003 to estimate the cumulative deformation, showing an average vertical movement of/yr. The GPS results are modeled using the deformation model from Mogi (1958) and show a best-fitting depth of 12 km. Within Valles, installation of a continuous GPS network would reveal and help isolate seasonal and long-term deformation.

Degree Name

Earth and Planetary Sciences

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

First Committee Member (Chair)

Eric Lindsey

Second Committee Member

Brandon Schmandt

Third Committee Member

Mousumi Roy

Language

English

Keywords

geodesy, volcano, Valles, caldera

Document Type

Thesis

Download

Share

COinS