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Dr Juliet Biggs
Dr Juliet Biggs
BA, MSci(Cantab), PhD(Oxon)
Lecturer
Summary
My research primarily uses Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) to understand the physics of the processes that deform the earth's surface. Recent developments in satellite geodesy are providing a new perspective on continental tectonics and volcanic processes through observations of aseismic processes such as interseismic strain accumulation, postseismic relaxation and magma intrusion.
These measurements can identify the mechanisms controlling continental deformation and quantify the constitutive laws controlling rheology. My current areas of interest are the East African Rift and the volcanoes of Central America and the Northern Andes. Practical applications of my work include seismic and volcano hazard assessment and geothermal resources.
Biography
I received BA and MSci degrees in Natural Sciences in 2003 from the University of Cambridge where I specialised in geology and geophysics. Since then, I’ve been using Earth Observation data to study active tectonic processes such as earthquakes and volcanoes. I received my PhD in 2007 for my work on the earthquake cycle in Alaska and then spent 2 years in Miami working on volcanoes in Central and South America. Since returning to the UK, I have been working with the European Space Agency to create a continental-scale map of recent volcanic, earthquake and magmatic activity in the East African Rift.
Teaching
Level 1: Structure and Metamorphism Module
Level 1: Arran Field Trip
Level 4/MRes: Natural Hazards and Risk Assessment
Graduate Tutor
Keywords
- magma intrusion
- postseismic relaxation
- aseismic processes
- volcanoes
Selected publications
- Biggs, C, Bastow, I, Keir, D & Lewi, E 2011, ‘Pulses of deformation reveal frequently recurring shallow magmatic activity beneath the Main Ethiopian Rift’. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst, vol 12.
- Biggs, C, Nissen, E, Craig, T, Jackson, J & Robinson, D 2010, ‘Breaking up the hanging wall of a rift-border fault: The 2009 Karonga earthquakes, Malawi’. Geophysical Research Letters, vol 37., pp. L11305
- Biggs, C, Anthony, E & Ebinger, C 2009, ‘Multiple inflation and deflation events at Kenyan volcanoes, East African Rift’. Geology, vol 37., pp. 979 - 982
- Biggs, C, Wright, T, Lu, Z & Parsons, B 2007, ‘Multi-interferogram method for measuring interseismic deformation: Denali Fault, Alaska’. Geophysical Journal International, vol 170., pp. 1165 - 1179
- Biggs, C, Amelung, F, Gourmelen, N, Dixon, T & Kim, S 2009, ‘InSAR observations of 2007 Tanzania rifting episode reveal mixed fault and dyke extension in an immature continental rift’. Geophysical Journal International, vol 179., pp. 549 - 558
- Ebmeier, SK, Biggs, J, Mather, T, Wadge, G & Amelung, F 2010, ‘Steady downslope movement on the western flank of Arenal volcano, Costa Rica’. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, vol 11., pp. Q12004
- Biggs, C, Lu, Z, Fournier, T & Freymueller, J 2010, ‘Magma flux at Okmok Volcano, Alaska from a joint inversion of continuous GPS, campaign GPS and InSAR’. Journal of Geophysical Research, vol 115., pp. B12401
- Wright, TJ, Ebinger, C, Biggs, J, Ayele, A, Yirgu, G, Keir, D & Stork, A 2006, ‘Magma-maintained rift segmentation at continental rupture in the 2005 Afar dyking episode’. Nature, vol 442., pp. 291-294
- Biggs, C, Bergman, E, Emmerson, B, Funning, G, Jackson, J, Parsons, B & Wright, T 2006, ‘Fault identification for buried strike-slip earthquakes using InSAR: The 1994 and 2004 Al Hoceima, Morocco earthquakes’. Geophysical Journal International, vol 166., pp. 1347 - 1362
- Biggs, C, Mothes, P, Ruiz, M, Amelung, F, Dixon, T, Baker, S & Hong, S 2010, ‘Stratovolcano growth by co-eruptive intrusion: The 2008 eruption of Tungurahua Ecuador’. Geophysical Research Letters, vol 37., pp. L21302
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