[redorbit]
A team of U.S., Mexican, and Chinese geologists have used a new tool to help pinpoint the precise locations where earthquakes caused the planet’s crust to rupture and alter the landscape, resulting in what they are calling the “most comprehensive before-and-after picture… of an earthquake zone to date.”
The 3D images, which were published in the February 10 issue of the journal Science, were captured from a 7.2. magnitude earthquake that occurred near Mexicali in northern Mexico on April 4, 2010, according to a February 9 University of California-Davis (UC-Davis) press release. Using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) equipment, the geologists were able to aerially scan approximately 140 square miles of terrain in under three days. …
The researchers used a “virtual reality” facility at the university to analyze the data, comparing before and after photos from the location to determine what impact the earthquake had on the ground, the university said. By studying the deformation that occurred around seven small faults responsible for the seismic activity, they discovered how each of them played a role in causing the quake to occur. ..
Read the full story here: http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1112472361/3d-imaging-technology-could-help-multi-fault-earthquake-preparations/