Slip analysis of the Kokoxili earthquake using terrain-change detection and regional earthquake data

The Kokoxili earthquake occurred on 14 November 2001 along the Kunlun fault. To analyze the type of deformation along several segments of the fault, this study employs Fourier transform terrain-change detection to detect horizontal pixel offsets between time-separated Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer ( ASTER) satellite images. The results allow us to model the slip direction and amount of slip due to the earthquake. Three segments of the fault were analyzed, each with different strain kinematics. Our analysis detected left-lateral slip, a displacement of 311 m, and areas of transpression and transtension in the proximal area of the Kunlun fault. The image geodetic results are consistent with published field measurements and stress analysis using regional earthquake data. The combination of the field measurements, stress and strain analysis, and geodetic results displays patterns of deformation along the fault that are influenced by the fault's geometry. This study demonstrates for the first time the utility of ASTER optical satellite imagery for acquiring quantitative measurements of surface deformation.