Airborne lidar and electro-optical imagery along surface ruptures of the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake sequence, Southern California

Abstract

Surface rupture from the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake sequence, initially associated with the M_w 6.4 foreshock, occurred on 4 July on a ∼17\u2009\u2009km long, northeast–southwest‐oriented, left‐lateral zone of faulting. Following the M_w 7.1 mainshock on 5 July (local time), extensive northwest–southeast‐oriented, right‐lateral faulting was then also mapped along a ∼50\u2009\u2009km long zone of faults, including subparallel splays in several areas. The largest slip was observed in the epicentral area and crossing the dry lakebed of China Lake to the southeast. Surface fault rupture mapping by a large team, reported elsewhere, was used to guide the airborne data acquisition reported here. Rapid rupture mapping allowed for accurate and efficient flight line planning for the high‐resolution light detection and ranging (lidar) and aerial photography. Flight line planning trade‐offs were considered to allocate the medium (25 pulses per square meter [ppsm]) and high‐resolution (80 ppsm) lidar data collection polygons. The National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping acquired the airborne imagery with a Titan multispectral lidar system and Digital Modular Aerial Camera (DiMAC) aerial digital camera, and U.S. Geological Survey acquired Global Positioning System ground control data. This effort required extensive coordination with the Navy as much of the airborne data acquisition occurred within their restricted airspace at the China Lake ranges.