Doctoral theses of the School of Engineering are available in the open access repository maintained by Aalto, Aaltodoc.
Public defence in geoinformatics, MSc Fatemeh Khorrami
Public defence from the Aalto University School of Engineering, Department of Built Environment.
Title of the thesis: GNSS-derived crustal deformation studies: From tectonics in Iran to non-tidal atmospheric loading in Finland
Thesis defender: Fatemeh Khorrami
Opponent: Professor Harald Schuh, TU Berlin, Germany
Custos: Assistant Professor Maaria Nordman,Aalto University School of Engineering, Department of Built Environment
This doctoral thesis investigates how the Earth’s surface moves and deforms using Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), a technology commonly used for satellite positioning. Accurately understanding Earth’s surface motion is crucial for natural hazard assessment (e.g., earthquakes), infrastructure resilience, early warning systems, and sea-level monitoring.
The research focuses on two different types of surface deformation. First, it examines tectonic deformation in the Iranian Plateau, a region where the Arabian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide, resulting in significant seismic activity. Second, it studies non-tidal atmospheric loading in Finland and northern Europe, where changes in atmospheric pressure cause subtle but measurable movements of the Earth’s surface.
The central objective of this thesis is to improve the accuracy and interpretation of GNSS-based deformation measurements by better accounting for both tectonic processes and environmental effects.
The results show that GNSS can effectively capture both large-scale tectonic deformation and smaller environmental signals. In Iran, the study provides new insights into how strain is distributed across active fault zones. In northern Europe, it demonstrates how atmospheric pressure variations influence surface position and how these effects can be modelled and reduced, improving the reliability of GNSS measurements. These findings are relevant for geophysics, geodesy, and Earth science more broadly. They can be applied to improve natural hazard assessment, refine geodetic reference frames, and enhance the accuracy of satellite-based positioning systems.
Overall, the thesis demonstrates that integrating models of tectonic deformation and environmental loading is essential for advancing the use of GNSS in studying the dynamic behaviour of the Earth’s surface.
Thesis available for public display 7 days prior to the defence at .
Contact information: fatemeh.khorrami@aalto.fi
Doctoral theses of the School of Engineering
