Premium
Crustal deformation at the Sumatran Subduction Zone revealed by coral rings
Author(s) -
Sieh Kerry,
Ward Steven N.,
Natawidjaja Danny,
Suwargadi Bambang W.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/1999gl005409
Subject(s) - geology , subduction , trench , seismology , coral , coral reef , deformation (meteorology) , reef , paleontology , oceanography , tectonics , layer (electronics) , chemistry , organic chemistry
Analyses of coral rings grown in the interval 1970–1997 reveal a geographically distinct pattern of interseismic uplift off Sumatra's western coast. At distances less than 110 km from the Sumatran trench, coral reefs are submerging as fast as 5 mm/y. At 130 and 180 km distance from the trench, they are emerging at similar rates. We suggest that a locked, or partially locked patch, located above 30 km depth on the upper surface of the subducting oceanic plate, generates this pattern.