The Continuously Operation Caribbean Observational Network: COCONet Glen S. Mattioli University of Texas at Arlington Presenting for COCONet Executive Committee: M. Miller(1), E. Calais(2), C. Meertens(1), G. Wang(3), J. Braun(4) (1) UNAVCO; (2) Purdue University; (3) Univ. of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez; Now at Univ. of Houston; (4) COSMIC/UCAR
What is COCONet? A multidisciplinary research project focused on improving our understanding and ability to prepare for and predict natural hazards in the Caribbean, Central America, and Northern Andes - the Caribbean plate and its surrounding neighbors. Earthquake hazards, tectonic deformation, climate change, severe weather A 5-year project funded by the National Science Foundation both in response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake and an broader recognition of the vulnerability of the region to devastating hazards. COCONet proposal Collaborative Research partners are UNAVCO, UCAR, Purdue University, and University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez International research partners include BME-Haiti, INGEOMINAS (Mora), IPGP, SRC-UWI, Simon Bolivar Univ. (Perez), OVSICORI, INETER, UNAM, and many other institutions representing 31 circum- Caribbean countries.
Cicum-Caribbean Population at Risk for Natural Hazards 0.3 M Source: CIA Factbook Total = 130 M 11.3 M 3.9 M 6.8 M 2.7 M 16.5 M 2.0 M 6.6 M 5.4 M 4.0 M 3.0 M 42 M 25 M 1.1 M
Some recent geophysical events and their impacts in the Caribbean region 1976 Motagua EQ 23,000 dead; 76,000 injured; 20% Guatemalans homeless 1995-2011 Soufriere Hills eruption: capital abandoned; 2/3 of island inhabitants flee 2010 Haiti EQ: 200,000-300,000 dead, 1.5 million homeless
COCONet Boundary Conditions Focus on natural hazards and improving regional understanding of geo-dynamic & atm-dynamic processes All raw data and data products must be shared, open, and available free-of-charge to users Synoptic-scale observations, which may be augmented with targeted, PI-driven projects Use data to enhance both technical and human capacity in region Develop strategic partnerships between US and local and regional institutions in 31 circum-caribbean countries
From Braun et al., 2012
COCONet: Design Components cgnss station (Trimble R9) Surface meteorology station Geodetic quality monument Robust power system Communications infrastructure (cellular, satellite, local ISP) PBO-style data products (raw data, daily positions, linear velocities) Real-time positioning (10 sites) Atmospheric data products (PW, Ps, T, RH, u and v winds, precip) All data will be available for free and open dissemination
What are the kinematics of the Caribbean domain? How rigid is the Caribbean plate? What Caribbean reference frame is appropriate for tectonic studies? Alvarado et al. (2010); DeMets & Wiggins-Grandison (2007); DeMets (unpub. 2011); Rodriguez et al. (2009) Turner et al. (2007); LaFemina et al. (2009); Calais et al. (2010); Weber et al. (2001) Jansma & Mattioli (2005); Turner et al. (2010); Mattioli (unpub. 2011); Trenkamp et al (2002)
How is stress released at slow, obliquely convergent plate boundaries? What controls interplate coupling? How does interseismic plate coupling change along strike? (Manaker et al., GJI, 2008)
CAR-NAM Boundary Zone and the northern Lesser Antilles 1) Is part of Lesser Antilles forearc detached from Caribbean plate (Lopez et al. 2006)? 2) What are interseismic strain accumulation rates (Manaker et al. 2008; Stafford-Glenn et al. 2011)? GPS vels in Fixed NAM frame
How is stress transferred across plate boundaries? What drives motion and deformation of crustal blocks? What controls strain partitioning at convergent margins? (LaFemina et al., G3, 2010)
What are the physical mechanisms for the coupling between sea surface temperatures and atmospheric water vapor? PW estimates from network show high correlation between SST and total column water vapor (not just surface humidity). These results show the strong link between sea-surface temperature and atmospheric water vapor.
What is the impact of continuous estimates of PW on hurricane intensity forecasts? The map on the left shows GPS stations (in blue), and locations of hurricane landfall. The scatterplot on the upper right shows the correlation between GPS PW and drop in surface pressure (1013 - Surf_Press) for stations within 200km of hurricane landfall. The correlation between PW and surface pressure is -0.71. This high correlation is a positive sign that GPS PW can be used to improve intensity forecasts.
Radiosonde Observation Availability
PW anomaly mean of 2000-2009 minus 30-year climatology
Satellite Calibration (IR/nIR/μwave) Land Water Microwave Liu et al, 2010 JGR Figures courtesy of C. Mears, RSS
COCONet: Community Building This is an international and interdisciplinary project Therefore we require input regarding design and active participation from both researchers and end-users within the Caribbean community. Ultimate measure of success will be if our circum-caribbean collaborators feel that COCONet is their network. Continued efforts are ongoing to better engage local scientists, government agencies, and community in Caribbean. COCONet will build scientific, technical and educational capacity in the region and serve as a successful model for regional cooperation and community building.
COCONet Status Funded with start date of 15 Sept, 2010 - Actual reconnaissance began in February, 2011 in order to wait for results of the first siting meeting. Network Status through December 31, 2011 Completed Reconnaissance:43 Permits Received:13 Stations Installed: 7 Will install 50 new and 15 refurbished stations in the Caribbean region. Budget re-baseline completed and approved by NSF Program Manager in July 2011. Installation plan extended to four years. Final network includes Integration of 61 existing stations into open data model. Cooperative agreements drafted and signed, registered UNAVCO for US State Department shipping through diplomatic pouch. Reconnaissance 66% complete, permits inprocess, and currently 7 new stations have been installed (Jamaica-3, Costa Rica,Curacao, Bahamas, Panama). Upcoming Installations: Dominican Republic, Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua.