Crustal deformation is the study of the movement and distortion of the Earth's outer crust. This area of research focuses on understanding the processes that cause the Earth's crust to change shape, such as tectonic plate movements, volcanic activity, and earthquakes. By measuring and monitoring crustal deformation, scientists can gain valuable insights into the underlying geological processes that drive these changes and help predict potential hazards, such as earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. Studying crustal deformation also provides valuable information about the Earth's tectonic plate boundaries and how they interact with each other.