|
Abstract
|
Land degradation is one of the environmental hazards that can occur in most countries during the last century. Geo-hazards induced by earthquakes have caused environmental degradation. Inevitably, stresses occurring prior to an earthquake in tectonically active places are able to boost the near-ground temperature of a region. Thermal remote sensing can usually detect these transformations, which can provide substantial clues about future earthquakes. The aim of this study is to analyze land surface temperature (LST) variations due to the Zarand Earthquake, which occurred in south–central Iran during 10–28 February 2005, by using the MODIS LST product. In addition, ten and six years of air temperature anomaly average data from before and after the Zarand earthquake, respectively, were used in this study. The results showed that the LST on 16th February was 28 °C, while on 21st February was 37 °C. Therefore, there was an LST difference of about 9 °C between both dates, so that there was a temporary abnormal rise in temperature before the earthquake occurred. On the other hand, the time series analysis of LST maps from 10 to 28th February 2005 showed that anomalies started six days before the main shock. Also, based on the correlation of MODIS LST and in-situ air temperature, interestingly, either the LST or air temperature started to rise on 16 February, or both soared on 21st February 2005.
|