Kinematics and dynamic implications of terrane transfer, a case study from Baja California, Mexico
Final Report Abstract
Many plate boundaries appear to be broad deformation zones, composed of several smaller microplates (e.g. California, Alaska, Mediterranean sea). To accurately address plate boundary deformation, a prerequisite for seismic hazard assessment, it is crucial to study the motion of these microplates. Furthermore the dynamics of microplates, such as their driving forces and the implication of their motion on the surrounding plate boundary region are not well understood. Based on suggestions that Baja California is defined as a microplate located within the North America – Pacific plate boundary region, a kinematic study using horizontal velocity data from Global Positioning System was performed. Building on the kinematic results and using numerical modelling techniques, a 2D mechanical model simulating the translation of Baja California by lithospheric coupling with the Pacific plate was created. This model takes into account the transport forces, and necessary preconditions in the North America – Pacific plate boundary region for rigid microplate transport. In addition, this model provides insights into the deformational response of western North America with respect to Baja California motion, in particular the kinematic response of neighboring microplates and the activation of passive fault systems. This latter was examined in more detail by separating the contribution of deformation from Baja California microplate motion and Sierra Nevada microplate motion to the formation of the Eastern California Shear Zone. Overall, it was found, that microplates play an important role for plate boundary kinematics and that their motion strongly influences the dynamics and fault evolution in plate boundary regions.
Publications
- (2005), Is Baja California part of the Pacific Plate?, Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union, 86(52, Suppl.), Abstract T33B-0553. 2
Plattner, C., R. Malservisi, T. H. Dixon, P. C. Lefemina, G. Schmalzle, J. Fletcher, F. Suarez-Vidal
- (2007), New constraints on relative motion between the Pacific plate and Baja California microplate (Mexico) from GPS measurements., Geophys. J. Int., 1
Plattner, C., R. Malservisi, T.H. Dixon, G.F. Sella, P. Lafemina, J. Fletcher, and F. Suarez-Vidal
(See online at https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2007.03494.x) - (2008), Baja transfer by partial coupling with the Pacific Plate, Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union, 89(53, Suppl.), T13E-05
Plattner, C., R. Malservisi, R. Govers, and G. Iaffaldano
- (2008), Crustal strain rate tensors from dense GPS networks, Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union, 89(53, Suppl.), T21B-1954
Hackl, M., R. Malservisi, S. Wdowinski
- (2008), Crustal strain rate tensors from dense GPS networks, Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union, 89(53, Suppl.), T21B-1954
Hackl, M., R. Malservisi, S. Wdowinski
- (2008), Deformation and rotation in southern Baja California, MX, Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union, 89(53, Suppl.), Abstract T11A- 1855
Malservisi, R., C. Plattner, M. Hackl, J. Weber, V. Bachtadse, and P. Umhoefer
- (2008), Do stalled slab fragments drive Baja California?, Geophysical Research Abstracts, 10, EGU2008-A-07251. 1
Plattner, C., R. Malservisi, R. Grovers
- (2008), Neotectonics across an active oblique-divergent plate margin, SW Gulf of California, Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union, 89(53, Suppl.), Abstract T11A-1854
Umhoefer, P., R. Arrowsmith, G. Kent, N. Driscoll, G. Martinez-Gutierrez, R. Malservisi, C. Plattner, M. Busch, S. Maloney, and B. Buchanan
- (2008), Strain pattern from geodetic measurements, Geophysical Research Abstracts, 10, EGU2008-A-07579
Hackl, M., R. Malservisi
- (2008), Strain pattern from geodetic measurements, Geophysical Research Abstracts, 10, EGU2008-A-07579
Hackl, M., and R. Malservisi
- (2009), Crustal strain rate patterns of the western North America plate boundary, Geophysical Research Abstracts, 11, EGU2009-8495-2001
Hackl, M., R. Malservisi, K. Furlong, E. Kirby
- (2009), Crustal strain rate patterns of the western North America plate boundary, Geophysical Research Abstracts, 11, EGU2009-8495-2001
Hackl, M., R. Malservisi, K. Furlong, E. Kirby
- (2009), Deformation in the central Gulf of California from geodetic data, Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union, 90(52, SUPPL.), Abstract T33E-06
Plattner, C., R. Malservisi, F. Amelung
- (2009), On the plate boundary forces that drive and resist the Baja California motion, Geology, 37(4), 359-362
Plattner, C., R. Malservisi, and R. Gover
(See online at https://doi.org/10.1130/G25360A.1) - (2009), Strain patterns from dense GPS networks, Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 9(4), 1177-1187
Hackl, M., R. Malservisi, and S. Wdowinski
(See online at https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-9-1177-2009) - (2009): Dynamic Implications of Baja California microplate kinematics on the North America – Pacific plate boundary region, Dissertation, LMU München: Fakultät für Geowissenschaften
Plattner, C.
- (2010), Development of the Eastern California Shear Zone – Walker Lane belt: The effects of microplate motion and pre-existing weakness in the Basin and Range, Tectonophysics, 485(1), 78-84
Plattner, C., R. Malservisi, K. Furlong, and R. Gover
(See online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2009.11.021) - (2012): GPS analysis: strain, transients, and colored noise, Dissertation, LMU München: Fakultät für Geowissenschaften
Hackl, M.
